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Yzdra 

A Tragedy in Three Acts 



Louis X). Ledoux 



♦ ♦ 



G. P. Putnam's Sons 
New York and Londoa 

Zbe fmicfterboc?ter press 

1909 



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Gin 

Pub], ., 






Copyright, 1907 



LOUIS V. LEDOUX 



English Copyright Performance given Wyndham's Theatre, Londoa 
March 36, tgo8 
Entered at Stationers' Hall, London 



Vbe ftnfcberbocfiec prees, 'new Vorft 



5 



To 
MY MOTHER 



NOTE 

This play is founded upon a story told 
in the Secreta Secretortim, a book which 
falsely purports to be Aristotle's manual 
of advice to Alexander. 

An English version which dates from 

about 1400. gives the legend as follows: 

Alexander, thynk of ye doynge of ye 
Quene of Inde whenne she sente to the, 
by cause to haue thy frendschipe, many 
presentes and noble gyftes amonge ye 
whilke a full fair mayden was sent to the 
that of her childhood drank and was 
norschyd with venyms yn-so-mekyl that 
her kynde was turned to ye k3^nde of 
serpentys. . . . And certainly, but 
thou hadde ben wamyd by me there-of, 
thy seluyn hadde takyn deed, thurgh ye 
hete of fleschly kennynge with here.^ 

" For any who may be curious in the matter an 
account of the origin and literary fortunes of this 
story is given at the close of the volume. 



CHARACTERS 



Indians: 

PoROS .... Emperor of that portion 

of India now known 
as the Central Punjab. 

The Prince . . . His son. 

A Brahman 

Rajah of AbhIsara. 

Half-witted Boy, who serves as a Jester. 

Messengers. 



Yzdra's Nurse. 
Yzdra 

Heph^estion 



Proteas 

A Page 

A Slave 

Alexander the Great. 

Time: 326 b.c 



Daughter of Poros. 
Greeks: 

Alexander's favourite 
General. 
. A follower of the camp. 



ACT I 



YZDRA 

ACT I. 

Scene I. 

THE THRONE-ROOM IN THE PALACE OF 
POROS. 

The Prince and the Rajah are playing 
at dice; others are watching the game and 
lounging about the room. Some lean over 
the players in excitement. The Prince 
rises angrily. 

Prince. I play no more! The time is 
evil-starred, 
And dice have been the bondage of my 

house. 
I play no more. 

3 



4 YZDRA ACT I 

Rajah. My Lord, the 

luck may change. 
Prince, Again I say the time is evil- 
starred. 
Last night portentous omens broke my 

rest; 
A wailing jackal would not let me sleep ; 
And once I rose from hidden dreams to see 
If yet the golden car of Surya climbed 
The East, when lo! a raven, croaking, 

passed. 
I know not what may hap, but this I 

know, — 
Some fate impendeth in the womb of 

time. 
Some evil fate, with darkness fraught and 

doom. 
Whose shadow now above our royal halls 
Hangs cloud-like, with its lightnings still 

in leash; 



sc. I YZDRA 5 

But where or how or when the bolt may 

fall 
I cannot tell. 
Rajah. When lightning strikes, 

'tis said 
To choose the tallest trees. 

Prince. For this I fear 

The gods have sent misfortune's mandate 

stem 
To me, or to my Sire, whose royal head 
O'ertops our empire in its sovereignty. 
Rajah. Perchance the war with Tax- 
iles; perchance 
This Grecian Alexander who has come 
Through Persia conquering. 

Prince. Perchance 'tis he. 

The Greeks, indeed, draw near. 

Enter an aged Brahman with two or 
three disciples following. 

To you I bow, 



6 YZDRA ACT I 

Most holy Sage. Your blessing now I 
crave. 

[The Brahman gives his blessing. 
We wait the King. 

Brahman. I join his council here 

And speak to them of oracles fulfilled. 
Rajah. My Lord, the King is even now 
at hand. 

{The sound of trumpets is heard and 
the King enters in state with the 
tributary kings who have a row of 
thrones on the left and lower down 
than that of Poros: behind each 
is an ensign-bearer. Then follow 
the counsellors, bow-bearers, javelin- 
bearers, etc. PoROS ascends an ivory 
throne, the anns of which are fash- 
ioned as elephants with jewelled eyes. 
Behind is a canopy of peacock- 
plumes. The Prince goes to a 



sc. I YZDKA 7 

throne on the right, opposite the trib- 
utary kings. All bow low while 
PoROS ascends. 
Prince. All hail the warlike Poros! 
All. Hail! All-hail! 

[PoRos motions the Brahman to an 
empty seat beside the Prince and 
close to the throne, and, as he ap- 
proaches it, stands to receive the 
benediction of Holy Water, the vessel 
containing which is handed up by 
one of the disciples. During the 
ceremony all bow low as before. 
Then, at a sign from one of the of- 
ficials, the trumpet sounds three 
times. The King rises. 
Poros. Be welcome here, ye tribu- 
tary kings, 
Who. arch-like, prop our dome of sover- 
eignty; 



8 YZDRA ACT I 

We bid you welcome here as counsellors; 
For oft while wisdom searches devious 

ways, 
A hero grasps with tiger-spring the prize ; 
While wisdom weighs the chances, valour 

acts. 
And action turns the balances of Fate. 

\Tke Rajah o] Abhisara, who occupies 
the throne nearest to Poros, rises. 
Rajah. At your behest, dread Lord, 

once more we come. 
And own your lordship. Clouds are we, 

and you 
The lambent sun before whose face we 

shine 
With borrowed splendour. 

PoROS. Most, indeed, to him 

Is welcome given to whom it most is due ; — 
Our sagest counsellor, our noblest friend, 
Who now from lonely meditation deigns 



sc. I YZDRA 9 

To come and medicine our ignorance 
With wisdom's healing words. At his 

request 
Ourself and each whose voice of right is 

heard 
Are here assembled. All men know that 

he 
Has store of precious counsels hoarded safe 
Within his mind's rich casket. Jewels 

these, 
That Life, the miser, yields alone to him 
Who delves, imsatisfied with lesser good. 
Through years of patient toil in wisdom's 

mines. 
As he has done; for all his life has passed 
In learning to distinguish good and ill, 
The real and unreal. He has watched the 

stars, 
And fathoming their courses learned of 

Brahm : 



lO YZDRA ACT I 

The sky has taught him and the populous 

earth 
To see below the myriad forms of life 
The broad foundation of eternal calm. 
All this we know ; yet still we lack the key 
That shall unlock his wisdom's guarded 

wealth : 
\To the Brahman.] 
We fain would learn the cause that brings 

us here, 
And wait your words; [Turning to the 
others] 

but ere he speak, let all 
Save those who share our coimsels pass 
without. 

[Towards the close of the King's speech 

a half-witted Jester, clad in fantastic 

garb, has crept up to the throne and 

seated himself on the steps. 

Prince. Dost thou share the King's 



SC. 1 YZDRA 1 1 

counsel that thou sittest there while 
thy betters withdraw themselves? 

Jester. Aye, forsooth. Am I not wor- 
thy? 

Prince. What dost thou know more 
than these ? [He motions toward those 
who are leaving.] 

Jester. I know to remain sober. 

Prince. Poor boy! No one offers to 
waste good wine on thee; 'twere as 
well to offer peacock's brains to an 
elephant and say — Good sir, prithee 
partake ; the morsel is delicate. 

Poros. Enough of this; peace, boy, 
peace. 

[Poros motions himtoleave but he steals 
in behind the others and overhears 
the conference. 
Good sir, we wait to hear your wisdom 
speak. 



12 YZDRA ACT I 

This Fool has much abused our clemency. 

Brahman. The lotus flowers have 

spread upon the streams; 

The Pleiades have risen, wheeled and set 

Some twenty seasons since the moonless 

night 
When I, observing fixedly the stars, 
Saw strange conjunctions spelling love 

and death, 
And offered sacrifice, whose omen told 
Of one new-bom within the royal house 
Who held the fate of empires in her hand. 
Prince. Within the royal house? 
Rajah. What maid was that ? 

Brahman. No more I learned; but 
marked within the West 
A warlike planet flaming through the sky 
That other stars grew pale and one went 

out, 
But passing burned a moment lurid, red. 



SCI YZDRA 13 

Prince. Could wisdom teach you what 
events might cast 
Such shadows on the calm blue eyes of 

night 
That look upon the world? 

Brahman. In doubt I left 

The deep seclusion of my forest life, 
And took the long imtrodden path which 

led 
To w^here ye strove with unrealities. 
Rajah. These unrealities seem real 
indeed, 
To us who strive, and striving win or lose. 
Your pardon, sir, I speak imtutored words. 
But from the heart. 
Brahman. Like soldiers ye are 

pressed 
By those around and see naught else ; but I, 
The chief, observe the general battle's 
plan. 



14 YZDRA ACT 1 

Ye strive for present vantage, I for good 
Unseen. 
Prince. Yet both perchance are 

naught. Who knows? 
PoROS. We wander from our purpose ^ 

sir, speak on. 
Brahman. I moved through darkness 
onward, till the dawn 
Came stealing pallid up a cold grey East, 
When met me runners telling how the 

Queen, 
In dying, bore a maid of matchless form — 
Divinely fashioned in her babyhood. 
Prince. My hidden sister ! I was then 
a child, 
But do remember dimly. Lives she yet? 
PoROS. She lives, but I have never 

seen her face. 
Rajah. That seems most strange. 
PoROS. The gods demanded her 



sc. 1 YZDRA 1 5 

And I did yield, though much against my 

will. 

Brahman. I offered sacrifice to read 

her fate, 

But sudden blindness fell upon my sight; 

In trance I stood and tranced thus 1 spoke : 

' ' The gods have willed the tender maid should 

grow 
In solitude, on poisons fed until 
She gains their power, and this in time 
shall be.^' 
Rajah. On poisons fed, to grow a 

poisonous thing! 
Prince. On poisons! Sire, to rear a 
Princess thus 
Is horrible! 

PoROS. Yet thus the gods decreed 
She should be reared ; and I obeyed their 

will. 
On poisons she was fed. 



1 6 YZDRA ACT I 

Prince. But for what end ? 

PoROS. The gods no reasons gave. 
Brahman. At least not then, 

For on my eyes the day returning rolled; 
I knew no more. The King remembers 

well 
My words oracular, but ye are strange 
To these most sure events I now relate. 
Poros. Aye, well do I remember; and 
the babe 
Was given in charge unto a skilful nurse, 
By this same Brahman brought. They 

took her hence, 
And sent report each year of how the 

maid. 
To fuller stature grown, grew still more fair. 
Brahman. As wise as fair, for I have 

taught her much. 
PoROS. At last her youth has bloomed 
to womanhood 



sc. r YZDRA 17 

More strangely beautiful than Love itself; 
But so her life is with the poison charged 
That death to man within her kisses lurks. 

Brahman. The King speaks truth: 
her kiss is present death; 
She kills with sweetness like a poisoned 
flower. 

Prince. This is an awful thing. 

Rajah. And very strange. 

Prince. I almost doubt its truth. 

Brahman. Yet true it is. 

Rajah. But have you any proof? 

PoROS. We need no proof 

Beyond the oracle, yet proof there is. 

Brahman. Not long ago she kissed a 
little child, 
And some few hours thereafter, lo! it died. 

Prince. That leaves no doubt. 

Rajah. It might have had the 

fever. 



1 8 YZDRA ACT I 

PoROS. 'Tis impious to doubt; I am 

convinced. 
Rajah. The fever was abroad : it might 
have been; 
And yet this death confirms the oracle : 
It must indeed be true. 

PoROS. The truth is clear; 

But what the further will of Siva plans 
For her I do not know ; nor whose the 

lot 
To cull this deadly flower of loveliness. 

Jester. {Aside.l 
Oh, horrible ! horrible ! I pray Siva that she 
be not preserved for me. 
Brahman. Now come we to the point: 
three nights ago 
A dream disturbed my rest, with presage 

dark, 
That thus I do interpret: Persia's king, 
The Grecian Alexander, eastward leads 



sc. I YZDRA 19 

His conquering armies. Men and power 

are his — 
The Macedonian phalanx none can face; 
Besides, the gods, of favour, grant him 

youth 
With riper wisdom tempered; courage, 

skill, 
And steadfast purpose. Now, let Poros 

send 
To him the maid, enrobed in loveliness. 
To offer friendship from our kingdom's 

chief. 
And bind in marriage bonds himself to us. 
Thus wisdom reaches where your valour 

fails ; 
The youth is amorous and frank withal, 
And would accept such offers frankly made, 
If backed with other gifts befitting kings 5 
But let him once her poisonous kisses 

drink 



20 YZDRA ACT I 

He dies a present death — most sure and 

swift. 
PoROS. No need of this ! I fear not any 

man; 
Much less this Grecian. What have we 

to fear 
Who lead against him fifty thousand men 
With chariots and elephants! Could he 
With used, wayworn troops, afar from 

home, 
Defeat our army and subdue ourself ? 
'Twere madness thus to think ! I will not 

stoop 
To crave alliance with this upstart youth, 
Who smote the Medes in beds of luxury, 
And knows not how a warrior people fight. 
We wait his coming. Should he dare to 

come 
We meet him battling manlike, face to 

face. 



sc. I YZDRA 21 

We fear him not; what says oiir valiant 

son? 

^During this speech, the Rajah and the 

tributary kings have shown signs of 

, approval. The Prince has stood 

in deep thought. 

Rajah. [Aside. 1 Though valorous in 

action, slow to strike, 
I fear his counsel. 

Prince. [Slowly and thoughtfully. "l Sire, 

your words are just ; 
Before your age, your wisdom and your 

throne 
I bow submissive, yet my thought finds 

voice. 
'Tis rashness more than bravery to fight 
Unnecessary battles, risking thus, 
Through pride, our subjects, wealth and 

empery •; 
And when the gods have shown in oracles — 



22 YZDRA ACT I 

By him made manifest who speaks their 

will— 
The way to cope with present circumstance 
To choose another means were blasphe- 
mous 
And fraught with swift disaster: gods 

avenge. 
Rajah. My Liege, till now has Taxiles 

alone 
With unsubmissive eyes beheld your reign ; 
Your only foe was he ; your only dread ; 
And first to him must Alexander come 
In marching eastward from the bounds of 

Ind. 
Then, like an eagle when two lions fight, 
Will you, unscathed, behold the bloody 

strife ; 
Until upon the victor, torn and weak. 
You swoop with conquering pinions. Thus, 

mv Lord, 



sc. I YZDRA 23 

Your foes defeat each other: yours the 
spoils. 
PoROS. Let Taxiles and Alexanderfight ! 
We, sitting watchful, strike when both are 

weak. 
No need to bend our royal dignity 
Before young Macedon. 
\To the Brahman. 

Your pardon, sir, 
That thus we plan our present policy, 
Observing not your precepts. Thanks we 

give. 
And reverence. Your wisdom passes ours 
But not in this. 

Brahman. Nay, hear me speak; the 

gods 

PoROS. You have not read in this 
their will aright. 
Our choice is clear. 
Rajah. And just. 



24 YZDRA ACT I 

Prince. My Father, pause! 

PoROS. [Rising.'] I overrule all further 
conference. 

{Enter a messenger hastily. He is 
soiled with travel. He bows and 
PoROS motions him to speak. 

Messenger. Taxiles has received Alex- 
ander into his capital and has 
formed an alliance with him for the 
purpose of conquering our kingdom. 
They are already collecting rein- 
forcements, but the Grecian plans to 
rest his army for some weeks before 
starting. 

Brahman. The gods are swift avengers. 

Prince. Ah, the gods! 

[The Rajah and the tributary kings 
look dumfounded. 

Rajah. With Taxiles and Alexander 
both 



St-. I YZDRA 25 

Wc cannot cope. 

PoROS. Our will is overruled 

By Siva's will. The maiden shall be sent ; 
Let some provide a stately embassage 
And fitting gifts. Abhisara shall lead. 
\To ike Brahman.] Do you instruct the 

Princess in our will 
But let her not suspect her poisonous 
power. 

\Hc bows to the Brahman and then 
as the curtain falls, he goes out 
followed by his train. 



Scene II. 

A JASMINE BOWER UNDER A BLOSSOMING 
MANGO TREE, OUTSIDE THE FOREST 
HOME OF YZDRA — A PRACTICABLE DOOR 
ON THE RIGHT. 

YzDRA discovered walking about and talking 
to the Nurse, who sits at the base of the 
tree. Yzdra resembles Poros slightly, 
but enough to suggest the idea of heredity. 

Yzdra. The night has laid once more 

its soothing hand 
Upon the eyes of Life. I sometimes dream 
That love is like the moonlight after day — 
A touch of peace; and then the lightning 

flash 

Seems like to love; — this love I have not 

known 

26 



sc. II YZDRA 27 

But fain would know. Ah me! My heart 

is sick 
To-night. I long — and yet for what I long 
I cannot tell. 

\Ske moves about touching the flowers 
tenderly. 

The placid moonlight rests 
Upon my jasmine flowers that gleam like 

stars; 
The timid fawns, the birds are all at 

peace, 
Save only Bulbul, who with passionate 

heart 
Still yearns, and yearning cries across the 

night 
A sadness undefined that answers mine. 
How beautiful is this our forest home, 
Where every season brings some fresh 

delight ! 
And yet I find no more the old content 



28 YZDRA ACT I 

In birds and flowers, the moonlight and 
the dawn, 

[After a pause she goes over to the Nurse, 
kneels down and starts to put her 
cheek against the Nurse's. The 
Nurse shrinks away and pushes 
her back. 
My Hfe is incomplete, it something lacks; 
Perchance this very love I dream about. 
Would I be happy could I feel a kiss — 
A warrior's kisses burning on my lips, 
Strong hands about my breasts; a man's 

strong hands 
And not like his — ^the only man I know? 
This Brahman makes me shudder, yet is 
kind. 
Nurse. It may be even now a lover 

comes. 
YzDRA. [Playfully. "] Who seeks for me 
alone throughout the world ? 



sc. II YZDRA 29 

\T]ie Nurse makes an ill-tempered 
gesture of assent. 
And Kama's shafts at last shall sting in 

me 
No more a girl, but woman fully grown? 
Enter the Brahman. He hears the last lines. 
Brahman. You dream of love; I love's 
fulfilment bring. 

[He blesses her. The Nurse goes into 
the house. 
Yzdra. With blessing, holy sage, your 
pardon give 
That thus my inmost mind is disarrayed, 
And all my heart disclosed to yoiir ear. 
Accept, although delayed, no less sincere 
A welcome. 

Brahman. Fair you seem to-night, and 
pure 
As conquering sotds that merge themselves 
in Brahm. 



30 YZDRA ACT I 

'Tis right a maiden's heart should dream 

of love, 
For so the gods have willed. These moon- 
lit flowers 
With nature's incense fill the drowsy air; 
'T were hard, my child, to leave so sweet 
a spot! 
YzDRA. Not hard for me! I full confes- 
sion make, ' 
Since you of half my coimsel are aware ; 
This solitude and silence pall me quite; 
A woman grown, I long for woman's life ; — 
To see the ways of cities and the court, 
To know the valiant princes of my race, 
To smile above the tourney, choosing out 
Some hero who will call me " Queen " and 

"Wife"; 
And after that to live as she of whom 
Our ancient writings speak, whose love 
was strong 



sc. II YZDRA 31 

To bend relentless Yama to its will, 

And bring her lord from death's domain to 

life. 
And then I long to do some worthy deed, 
Or service for the State. 

Brahman. Aye, that were good. 

YzDRA. 'Tis surely best to live and 

not to dream. 
Brahman. [With double nieaning;-half 

to himself.] A maiden's dreams are 

far indeed from life. 
YzDRA. Full-well I know the blossom- 
ing of flowers, 
The Koel's cry, the rise and set of stars, 
But yet I miss the meaning of the world 
Off here alone; of much rest ignorant, 
And much — yea, very much I lack. Good 

sir. 
My words are wild and may offend, but 

speak 



32 YZDRA ACT I 

I must. 

Brahman. Some deed of courage you 

would do? 
YzDRA, To do is mine, to act ; for I am 

strong; 
Yea, very strong, and was not bom to 

watch 
The dull monotony of dawn and dusk 
In meaningless passivity. There flows 
Within my veins a warrior-people's blood ; 
I long to live my life before men's eyes, — 
A princess of my house. 

Brahman What would you do ? 

YzDRA. What Siva plans for me — ^that 

would I do, 
But well I know I was not made for this 
Half life, grown empty now of good or 

charm. 
I long to live my life, to do some deed, 
And live in fame to future ages sung. 



sc. 11 YZDRA 33 

Brahman. You have been still a child, 

but now you seem 
A very woman, yea, a queen indeed. 
YzDRA. Part girl, part woman, and 

part man I think. 
But all alive with youth and eagerness 
To do and dare, to live, and greatly love. 
Ah, life I crave with all its splendid chance. 
Its days of action and its nights of love ; 
Not this poor shadow-world wherein I 

faint ; 
Yet know my strength. 

Brahman. What further 

would you ask 
Or tell? 

YzDRA. The nurse, who loved me well 

of old. 
Has acted strangely tow^ard me; now no 

more 
She lets me nestle close, or kiss her cheek, 



34 YZDRA ACT I 

As was my wont. Aiid once, not long 

ago— 
It was the day I found the first spring rose- — 
There came a child, who, heeding not his 

way, 
Had hither roamed. I took the baby up 
And held it to my heart and kissed its lips, 
When lo! my nurse came running in 

affright, 
And snatched it from me ; then, before the 

dusk, 
A fearful sickness through its body stole; 
And when the morning bloomed I foimd it 

dead. 
But she avoids my questions, tells me 

naught. 

Enter Nurse. 
I ask you this: Why did she snatch it so? 
Brahman. The fever kills thus swiftly 

oftentimes. 



sc. n YZDRA 35 

YzDRA. But why must I — a woman — 

live deprived 
Of full-orbed life and love? You cage me 

here 
By what authority? 

Brahman. \^Aside\ Poor child! Poor 

child! 
This life she craves bears bitter fruit for 

her. 
\To YzDRA. 

My Yzdra, now has come the time of your 
Releasement; now I lead you out toward 

life, 
That seems so beautiful when seen afar — 
Toward life and love. 

Yzdra. Toward love ? Oh tell me who ! 
What way of life is mine, what happy 

fate? 
Brahman. With you I go to seek an 

emperor 



36 YZDRA ACT I 

Who rules o'er half the world — a valiant 

man 
And young ; to him would Poros give your 

hand, 
A bond of firm alliance 'tween the states. 
The rest I shall unfold within the house. 
Nurse. \Asidei\ A bond of death! I 

would not have his lot. 
YzDRA. [Dreamily.] An emperor, a 

valiant man, and young! 
[Turning to him.] How could a maiden 

reared in forest ways 
And ignorant of courts succeed to please 
A king like him — 
[Murmuring.] who rules o'er half the 

world ? 
Brahman. A woman's instinct teaches 

more than courts. 
YzDRA. But look! The petals of the 

dawn unfold, 



sc. II YZDRA 37 

Like woman's love from girlhood blossom- 
ing— 
A presage this of future happiness. 
Brahman. I follow you within. 
YzDRA. Till then, farewell. 

\_Sh-e bows for his blessing and then 
walks toward the house. 
Brahman. [To Nurse.] At court will 
Poros give you recompense. 
We shall not need you more. 

Yzdra Can she not come? 

Brahman. You will not want her in 

the glad new life. 
Yzdra. Farewell, then, nurse, and give 
me joy at last. 

[She goes up to embrace her. The 
Nurse shoves her away. 
Nurse. Nay, touch me not. 
[To the Brahman.] I am well rid of her. 
I go to seek the King and claim my wage. 



38 YZDRA ACT 1 

YzDRA. You will not say "Farewell"? 
\Tke Nurse goes off toward the forest. 
YzDRA looks sadly after her for a 
moment. 
What can it mean? 

{Exit YzDRA into the house. 
Brahman. {After a pause. Watching 
her.] The ways of Fate are dark and 
hard to tread. 

Enter Rajah. 
Rajah. I trust she will be ready by the 

mom. 
Brahman. Aye! ready will she be, 
and glad she is 
To learn of life. 

Rajah. Poor child ! She does not 

guess 
Her power? 
Brahman. No, and never shall guess 
till 



The deed is done ; for all the retinue, 
Except ourselves, are ignorant as she. 
Rajah. I bring the King's provision 

to her house. 
Brahman. Much yet remains to do; 

I go within. 
Rajah. She must be kept aloof from 

all her maids. 
Brahman. I will arrange for that. 
Rajah. Now fare you well. 

[Exetmt — the Brahman into the house 
and the Rajah toward the forest. 
The stage is vacant for a moment, 
then attendants carry equipments into 
the house. One of them leaves a spear 
beside the door. After some have 
come out again, enter Yzdra fro7n 
the house. Voices are heard within. 
Yzdra. Oh, Life! Life! Life! An em- 
peror and young ; 



40 YZDRA ACT I 

A valiant man; and Persia's king as well. 
Have dreams come true? My head is all 

awhirl. 
But why have I been kept till now, so long 
In solitude and ignorance? Why must 

they still 
Slink sideways from my questions, tell me 

not 
What most I seek to leam — ^why this has 

been? 
There is some mystery \ but now, ah, well ! 
It does not matter now, for life is mine. 
But, soft! for someone comes. 

Enter the Jester from the forest. 
[He appears frightened and dishevelled, 
and looks about him half timorously, 
half vacantly. 

What wouldst thou here? 
Jester. I followed on their track that 
I might see 



sc. II YZDRA 41 

Them when they start. 

YzDRA. Who start, and who art 

thou? 

Jester. It has been very dark, and far 
it seems 
From home. I wish that I were back again. 
What noise is that? 

YzDRA. A beast that passed, no more. 

Jester. I wish that I were safely 
back again. 

YzDRA. Whence didst thou come? 

Jester. I know not who you are. 

YzDRA. I am the Princess Yzdra ; who 
art thou? 

Jester. The Princess Yzdra? 

Yzdra. Nay, it is not strange 

That thou hast never heard of me, for all 
My life till now has passed in solitude — 
Alone from infancy. 

Jester. [Not quite understaitding but 



42 YZDRA ACi I 

remembering dimly.] In solitude? 
Alone? [Yzdra moves toward him. 

YzDRA. But tell me what thou seekest, 
then 
The Brahman here will teach us of the 
way. 
Jester. The Brahman? You, alone? 
[She steps nearer to him and he shrinks 
away, hut does not yet quite realise 
who she is. 
Yzdra. I wonder why 

This boy seems so afraid of me. Poor 

thing! 
The Princess I; I would not hurt thee. 
Come. 

[He looks around as though wanting 

to run, aiid cowers hack against the 

tree. 

Jester. The Princess! Off! Stand off! 

Yzdra. Poor boy! Poor boy! 



sc. II YZDRA 43 

\As she moves still nearer to him, he 
seizes a stone as if to throw it at her. 
In truth I would not hurt thee. See how 

kind 
I am. Thou seemest Hke a little child 
Whom I could hold beside me ; almost kiss 
In pity. 
' \He starts to throw the stone; hut seeing 
her step up to him, evidently UU' 
afraid, he hesitates. 
Why, what ails thee now? But see 
How kind the hand that rests upon thy 
head. 
Jester. O gods! The poisoned kiss! 
The poisoned kiss! 
I would not die. 'Twas not for me they 

reared 
You thus. Oh, touch me not! 

[He cowers down at her feet. She 
places her hand gently on his head. 



44 YZDRA ACT I 

The kiss! and death! 
\He falls on the ground, sobbing con- 
vulsively. 
YzDRA. The kiss and death? The poi- 
soned kiss ? 'Twas not 
For me they reared you thus ? Oh, touch 

me not? 
The kiss and death? The poisoned kiss? 

What can 
He mean? Poor boy, his wits are all dis- 
traught. 

[Moving from him, then, after a pause, 
looking around at him. 
Poor boy! [She stands musing.] 
The poisoned kiss. The kiss and death. 
[She shakes her head; and then, suddenly 
beginning to understand, a look of 
agony comes into her face. 
The child I kissed that died! My forest 
life! 



sc. II YZDRA 45 

The nurse that shrinks away! [Wildly.] 

It cannot be. 
[She staggers and supports herself 
against the tree. 
Why lead me out and show me aught of 

life, 
If life is not for me? 

[Thinking."] The poisoned kiss. 
And death. He said what else? I must 

remember. 
He said 'twas not for him. What then? 
For whom ? 

[Suddenly understanding it all.] 
For Alexander death! And what for me? 
I must learn more. 

[As she staggers toward the Jester, the 

Brahman enters. 

Thou crawling snake ! Thou mock 

Of holiness ! What good to thee shall come 

From Alexander's death ? my poisoned life ? 



46 YZDRA ACT I 

Brahman. What meaneth this? 
YzDRA. [Trying to control herself.] He 
told — he told me all. 
[The Brahman makes a sudden move- 
ment toward the Jester, and then, 
changing his mind, steps to the door 
and motions an attendant. He whis- 
pers to him and then the attendant 
leads out the Jester. 
Brahman. [Half to himself.] No prattle 

more from him. 
YzDRA. Thou takest life — 

A human life against the Holy Law? 

Brahman. The Law must bend before 

necessity. 
YzDRA. [Seizing the spear and stepping 
towards him.] 
Then I take thine, thou jackal masked as 

man, 
Thou grey hyena tricked in holy weeds ; 



sc. " YZDRA 47 

The blood of all the princes of my race 
Comes battling upward roimd about my 

heart; 
Unsexed, I stand a hero of my house, 
And claim the vengeance due, a coward's 
death. 

{She steps forward to strike him; but 

he gazes at her unflinchingly and 

raises his hand, exercising his old 

authority over her. 

Brahman. Turn not on me, my child, 

but pause and think. 
YzDRA. \Wildly.] But pause and think! 
[Cowed by his power over her and 
speaking very low. 

Oh God! I hate you so! 
[Aloud again.] 
'Tis time to strike, not think j to strike 

with hate, 
To trample out your life or spurn you hence. 



48 YZDRA ACT I 

Brahman. You go to Alexander • should 

he die 
His queen would hold dominion o'er the 

world. 
YzDRA. O base, base, base as demons 

scorned by Brahm! 
I would not stoop to this — a coward's deed. 

\Sh,e commences to break down under 
the strain. 
But tell me why my life is poisoned thus. 
Brahman. Yzdra, you have but me to 

trust ; no more 
A child, but woman fully grown, I trust 
Your womanhood, your blood, and tell you 

all. 
Before your birth the gods decreed that you 
Should live on poisons, gain this poisonous 

power, 
But kept their reasons hid until but now, 
When oracles revealed the State must fall, 



SC.II YZDXA 49 

The King, your father, lose his rule, his 

Hfe. 
Unless the Grecian army's march were 

stopped 
By death to Alexander brought by you. 
YzDRA. But what of me, who had my 

life to live — 
My happy human life, my hope of love, 
That you have baffled darkly from my 

birth? 
I stand here impotent and gaze at life, 
A nameless horror, loathed by the world. 
Give back the life you took away from 

me! 
Brahman. Not loathed by the world 

but named of men 
In bright emblazonry on honour's scroll, 
As she who saved her country, saved her 

sire, 
A maiden hero worthy of her race. 



50 YZDRA ACT I 

YzDRA. What owe I to a sire I never 
saw — 
A sire who leagued with thee to break my 
Hfe? 
Brahman. The gods have willed; the 

gods must be obeyed. 
YzDRA. I will not do it ; could not stoop 

so low. 
Brahman. [Rising to his full dignity 
and threatening her. 
The mandates of the gods must be obeyed ; 
If not, upon your soul the consequence. 
YzDRA. It cannot be! 
Brahman. Have you forgot so soon 
The hour I told you of your father's will? 
YzDRA. Oh, God! So sweet it was! 
Brahman. You told me then 

You longed to do some service for the State ; 
To do some mighty thing, some valiant 
deed; 



sc. II YZDRA 5 1 

And now you falter when the chance is 
come. 

YzDRA. It was my dream of girlhood. 
Brahman. Poros asks 

His daughter to be worthy of her sire — 

To give herself, as many men have given 

Themselves, to save your land and ancient 
race. 
YzDRA. I am a princess worthy of my 
line ; 

I would obey my sire, obey the gods. 

Would serve the State and be a queen in all ; 

But not through baseness. 
Brahman. This could not be 

base : 

This deed the gods command will men 
revere 

Until they set you with the gods them- 
selves, 

And build a shrine, and come in pilgrimage 



52 YZDRA ACT I 

To pray your aid whene'er your country 

needs. 
Your speech is royal but you act the slave. 
YzDRA. I could not do it. 
Brahman. Yet you could not live 

The life you dreamed, whichever course 
you chose. 

[The expression of hate comes back 
into her face. She steps forward 
grasping the spear tightly, and is 
about to strike, but pauses, again 
overawed by the old authority. 
In one your name will be forever praised , 
As she who loved her country, served her 

gods; 
The other course, if taken, brands your 

name 
As one who, disobeying king and gods 
Through woman's weakness, fell as falls 
a tree 



sen YZDRA 53 

By lightning shattered. Not alone this 

life 
You lose ; through bleak eternities of lives 
The gods will hunt you, flying from their 

wrath — 
A hon-or to yourself, a name of scorn. 
YzDRA. It cannot be! It cannot, cannot 

be! 
I could have been so happy living life, 
A woman merely, in some humble lot ; 
A wife and mother, feeling tiny hands 
Reached out for my protecting mother love ; 
Or just a careless girl as once I was 
Among my jasmine bowers, with dreams 

for life. 
So little would have made me happy ; now — 
Brahman. Aye, now you choose the 

brand of infamy, 
Or glory ever brightening, sung of men, 
A name for poets' hearts to conjure with. 



54 YZDRA ACT I 

YzDRA. I could have been so happy, 

would have asked 

So little. Oh, to sink at once in Brahm, 

Forgetting all the pain, the broken hope! 

And yet I would find vengeance ere I 

die! 

Brahman. Accept the way of duty 

marked divine. 
YzDRA. It may be I shall try. Now 
leave me here 
Alone, yea, all alone. I cannot stand 
It more. In pity for my w^eakness go. 
It may be I shall do it. Go. 

Brahman. I go, 

But charge you on your conscience, for 

your weal, 
To do the gods* high will, and save the 
State. 

[She sinks down hiding her face. 
YzDRA. Go! But go! 



sc. II YZDRA 55 

Brahman The gods decree 

that you 
Shall save your people and your father. 

Now 
I go. A little later you yourself 
Will see where honour points. Till then 
farewell, 
YzDRA. \Rising?^ I shall do what I 
will; my life is mine — 
My little left of life — nor owe I aught 
To country or to kin, to you or him, 
But vengeance, vengeance, vengeance! 
Now begone. 
Brahman. Consent unto our plan or 

die to-night. 
YzDRA. Or die to-night ! 
Brahman. Aye, such is Poros' will. 
You know the choice. Farewell. 

YzDRA. Or death to-night ! 

End of Act I. 



ACT II 



ACT II. 

Alexander's quarters at the court of 

TAXILES. 

A pavilion tent. A practicable door on 
either side of the back, one leading to an 
inner pavilion and the other to the camp. 
Between them is a couch with steps lead- 
ing up to it, and a low altar at one side. 
Alexander, Heph^stion and a Page 
discovered. Alexander reclines on the 
couch. The Page sings: 

Is this but dream! 

So close I seem 

To hold 

The lips, the breast 

My passion pressed 

Of old. 

59 



60 YZDRA ACT It 

Again one kiss! — 
The moment's bliss 

Is fled, 
Like joy that flies 
Ere yet surprise 
Be dead. 
Alexander. What, longing still for 
Macedon, my Page! 
Are not these Indian maidens fair enough? 
\To Heph.^stion. 
Perchance some languorous Persian charms 

his thoughts 
To swift Pinarus' stream where Persia fell : 
The captive maids were fair. 

Heph^stion. Indeed, my Lord, 

We lost as many captives as we took; 
But we to women yielded, they to men ; 
Full half otir army wear the Persian yoke. 
Alexander. It is my plan to fuse at 
length in one 



ACT II YZDRA 6 1 

The many nations bowed beneath my rule ; 
And intermarriage builds foundations firm 
For future empire. 

Heph^stion. Greece has owned your 

sway; 
Athens and Sparta dread your god-sent 

power ; 
CiHcia, Egypt, Lydia, Scythia, Crete, 
Are yours ; the Medes and Persians call you 

Lord, 
O son of Zeus! Great Asia's Emperor! 
Alexander. Not yet is all of Asia in 

our hand, 
Nor can it be tintil this Poros bends 
His stubborn pride to sue our clemency 
For life and realm ; on him we march, and 

when 
His head shall bow, a reed before the wind 
Of our swift onslaught, when his armies fly 
Like scattered sand before Sirocco's blast, 



62 YZDRA ACT II 

Then mayst thou call me "King"; for 

none but he 
Is strong to stop our progress for a day. 
Heph^stion. To Taxiles, our host, this 
day has come 
A further reinforcement for otir aid. 
Alexander. His friendship cheers the 

troops. 
Heph^stion. Would Poros now 
Alliance make, as Taxiles has done, 
It would be well. 
Alexander. How seem the men to- 
day? 
Heph^stion. They talk no more of 
home and child and wife, 
But each of valour brags to new-found 

friends, 
And all seem well disposed for further wars. 
Alexander. 'Tis well! Ourself will 
pass again from tent 



ACT II YZDRA 63 

To tent, and cheer their reborn courage on 
With speech of ancient sieges and the 

spoils ; 
Of honour won and honovir yet to gain. 
How Hke you India? 

Heph^stion. Well, indeed, my Liege; 
The Indian men are brave, the women fair ; 
The land itself is rich in things of worth. 
Could Aristotle, though he taught your 

youth. 
Surpass these Brahman sages? 

Alexander. Much I doubt. 

Who comes? 
Heph^stion. The motley minded 
Proteas. 

[Enter Proteas with an air of great 
importance. He is dressed in the 
Persian fashion, and prostrates him- 
self before Alexander in the man- 
ner of the Persians. 



64 YZDRA ACT 11 

Alexander. He is as blown up with 
his tidings as is a horse with the wind 
coHc; yet would it be safe to gage a 
province that the matter of his tid- 
ings is of no more weight than air. 

Heph^stion. My Liege, if the message 
seem to him of so much importance, 
its burden must be chiefly of himself. 
Perhaps he is in need of money. 

Alexander. Now Zeus forbid! 

Heph^stion. It is the way of men 
of little worth to give themselves airs 
of importance, to swell and to strut, 
whenever anything, however trivial, 
gets into the hollowness of their skulls, 

Alexander. One would think he came 
with India in his right hand, Mount 
Olympus in his left, and a half dozen 
provinces tucked under his arms that 
he might offer me a small token of his 



T 11 YZDRA 65 

esteem. Well, let us hear. Speak up, 
most worthy Proteas, and tell us what 
god fills thy sails with the breath of 
his inspiration. 

Proteas. Would the son of Ammon, 
the friend of Ares, the Emperor of the 
world, most valiant and most mighty, 
deign in the magnificent lavishness of 
his kindness to hear tidings from me 
who, merely man, prostrate myself 
dumb before his divinity? 

Alexander, Now may Hermes aid 
thee! Speak on. 

PoRTEAS. My Liege, there waits with- 
out an embassy. 

Alexander. I pray Zeus, the protec- 
tor of strangers, to forgive thee their 
waiting. What is the appearance of 
this embassy, and from whom comes 

it? 
s 



66 YZDRA ACT II 

Proteas. It is, my Lord, an embassy 
of most magnificent appearance ; the 
very elephants are adorned Hke our 
Grecian hetaerae: from mere home- 
sickness I did almost love them. The 
leader is a man of most admired 
comeliness, and beside him ride a 
maiden veiled and a Brahman who 
seems old enough to be great-imcle 
to Kronos. 

Alexander. But didst thou not leani 
from whence they come? 

Proteas. From one w^ho calls himself 

an emperor — Poros by name. 

^he manner of Alexander suddenly 

changes, taking on the force and 

swiftness of a man of action and the 

dignity of an emperor. 

Alexander. \To Heph^stion.] Bring 
in the embassy; we meet them here. 



Acr II YZDRA 6/ 

At once. 

Heph^stion. [Moving toward the door.] 
The gods obey your will, my Liege. 
[Enter the Rajah, the Brahman, etc. 
While they make their obeisance, others 
spread costly gifts at the feet of 
Alexander. 
Alexander. Accept our kingly wel- 
come for yourselves 
And him who sends you. For his gifts so 

rich, 
And something strange unto our Grecian 

eyes. 
We give their certain due, an Emperor's 

thanks. 
In this with Poros we ourself will 

vie, 
Returning friendship with munificence. 
Rajah. To your dread feet, great Em- 
peror, we come 



68 YZDRA AC! II 

From Poros, who has filled our mouths 

with words 
Of friendly greeting. These unworthy 

gifts 
Are but the shadow of his good intent. 
Alexander. What will has Poros other 

than to give? 
Rajah. The honour of alliance. Further- 
more, 
He offers aid, should you such aid desire, 
In following ever eastward conquest's 

path ; 
Safe conduct for your troops across his 

realm ; 
And you yourself he fain would make his 
guest. 
Alexander. This offer, frankly made, 
we would accept 
With equal frankness. 

Rajah. One thing more, my Liege : 



ACT II YZDRA 69 

The King, with faith in your acceptance, 

charged 
This Brahman, who is chief of all the 

realm 
In wisdom and philosophy, with words 
More fit for him to utter than for me. 
Alexander. Philosophers and poets 
we have held 
More worthy homage than are sceptred 

kings. 
The diadem of thought upon his brow 
Compels our reverence. 

Be welcome here, 
^The Brahman motions an attendant, 
who goes to the door and ushers in 
YzDRA, veiled, and her maidens; 
then the Brahman walks slowly over 
to YzDRA and lifts the veil. Alex- 
ander starts in surprise and glances 
at Heph^stion, who looks at him. 



yo YZDRA ACT II 

Alexander. {Aside to Heph^stion.] 
Think you, could Phryne's self have been 
more fair? 
Heph^stion. Not Phryne, nor the 

wave-bom Cyprian. 
Brahman. O son of Ammon, Poros 
purposing 
To bind himself to you, 3'ourself to him, 
In bonds more lasting than a kingdom's 

troth, 
Has bade me offer you for queen and wife 
His only daughter, whom he loves right 

well — 
The Princess Yzdra. He — 

{During this speech Alexander has 
shown increasing emotion, and now, 
without waiting for the Brahman to 
finish, he interrupts, speaking rapidly. 
Yzdra has been looking toward the 
ground, but with the first lines of the 



ACT II YZDRA 71 

following speech she looks up at him 
in surprise and from here on shows 
an ever increasing interest in him. 
At the close of the scene her voice and 
her manner indicate that she is deeply 
touched by his courtesy. 
Alexander. A woman's heart 

Is gift more precious than a king can give. 
It has not been my custom to extend 
j\Iy conquests thus, or take unto myself 
The maids that came within my power. 

The wife 
And daughter of Darius both received 
Full grace. And yet, because she is so fair, 
And somewhat also for the kingdom's weal, 
I would be glad of this; — if she were 

glad, 
And came without enforcement, giving 

love. 
What savs the maiden? 



72 YZDRA ACT II 

Brahman. Sire, a name like yours 

Wakes love in women's hearts. 

Alexander. But what says she? 

YzDRA. My father wills: I lie within 

your hand; 

And yet an Indian Princess yields not thus 

Her quick consent. The daughters of my 

house 
Have pride of lineage and strength of will; 
We choose from those who prove them- 
selves for us. 
Alexander. So proud and fair; you 
seem a queen in all. 
And yet you come not quite luiwillingly 
To crown your beauty with my name and 
realm ? 
Yzdra. Your Grecian Cupid shoots one 
single shaft, 
And Grecian bosoms yield them to the 
wound ; 



ACT II VZDJiA 73 

The Indian god of love has arrows five 
With flowers barbed, and with each flying 

shaft 
He seeks a separate sense. When all have 

flown, 
And love gains access through the several 

wounds, 
Then only, Indian women yield their hearts. 
Alexander. I trust not to my armies 

or my state, 
My kingly order or divine descent. 
To storm this citadel of love, but trust 
My manhood simply, and the strength I 

own. 
Hephsestion, see oiu: guests are well be- 
stowed. 
Hepk^stion. I will, my Lord. 
Alexander. [To the Rajah.] This 

afternoon we hold 
Some further conference, and then will ask 



74 YZDRA ACT n 

More fully of your country and your king, 
Of whom the voice of rumour speaks afar. 
\To YzDRA.] Of you, my Queen, I beg the 

courtesy 
Of taking these, my quarters, for your use. 

YzDRA. I would not dispossess you. 

Alexander. Soldiers find 

Their home, their comfort, anywhere. 

YzDRA. I thank 

You, King, for this — 
[Speaking very low.'] and all your courtesy. 

Alexander. Ere Phoebus stays his 
golden chariot wheels 
I come to you and crave an audience. 
But first must make inspection of the host. 
Perchance, my Princess, you would care to 

come 
And smile upon the troops ? 

YzDRA. Indeed, my Lord. 

[Exeunt. 



ACT II YZDRA 75 

[The stage is darkened for a moment to 

give the lapse of time. 
Enter the Brahman and the Rajah. 
Brahman. They have not yet returned. 
Rajah. It makes me laugh 

To think of viewing thus the host which 

soon — 
Its leader dead — ^will pass like summer 
snow. 
Brahman. Not gently will it pass; for 
when the troops 
Are left without their king, each petty chief 
Will seek supreme command ; and Grecian 

blood, 
By Grecian swords set free, will flow un- 
stanched. 
Rajah. Then Taxiles will turn upon his 
guests, 
And each will murder each while we look on 
And laugh, content. 



'jd YZDRA ACT II 

Brahman. From far will we look on ! 

Once Alexander dead, our gracious host — 
"Friend Taxiles" — from forced friendship 

lapsed 
Would wreak his will. 

Rajah. 'Twere well indeed to fly 

And make what speed we can before the 

}^outh 
Has quaffed the deadly sweetness of her 

lips ; 
For should suspicion pass but near our 

names, » 

An instant death would follow. 

Brahman. When he dies 

His army, mad with grief, will spend its 

hate 
On Taxiles, and thus we catch two 

birds 
Who took themselves for eagles, with one 

snare. 



ACT II YZDEA jy 

The girl played well her part, and drew 

him on 
With beauty's swift allurement. 

Rajah. She, I thought, 

Seemed not averse to answering his 

love 
With love returned ; for just ere they went 

out 
A strange new light came gleaming in her 

eyes, 
New accents tuned her voice and made it 

sweet. 
Did you observe the change? 

Brahman. I also saw : 

But should she love, it could not hurt our 

plan. 
Rajah. Nay, rather would it help us; 

for her heart 
Would join her mind, and both, with 

doubled power. 



7$ YZDRA ACT II 

And purpose doubly strong, would strive to 

wake 
In him the passion that fulfils our aim. 
Brahman. Aye, loving, she will seek 
with stronger will 
To win him to her arms; but, loving not. 
Her mind at last is set to do the deed. 
Rajah. In either case we gain our 

purpose. 
Brahman. Yea. 
YThe Rajah walks to the door and looks 

out. 
Rajah. They are not coming yet. I 
would we knew 
If love so long delays them on their way. 
Brahman. When love points out the 
path, the way grows long 
In time, but short to sense. 

Rajah. 'T were well to know. 

Enter Heph/EStion. 



ACT II YZDRA 79 

Rajah. We wait the coming of the 

King, my Lord. 
Heph^stion. I also seek the King. 
Brahman. They tarry long. 

Heph^stion. But now I crossed a 

comer of the camp, 
And all men spoke to me with one glad 

voice 
Of how our Emperor and your fair Queen 
Had gleamed an instant there on all men's 

sight. 
It seems the King proclaimed a feast to- 
night 
In honor of your embassy, and told 
How not with pain across your stained 

spears 
Would we your kingdom enter, but as 

guests, 
With garlands decked and feasting by the 

way; 



80 YZDRA ACT II 

And when he showed in sign of peace and 

truth — 
More sweet than peace herself — the match- 
less maid, 
A murmur spread among the host that soon 
To general tumult rose in glad acclaim; 
But they rode on and sought each other's 
eyes. 
Brahman. Perchance they cannot pass 

athwart the crowd. 
Heph^stion. The soldiers throng 
about them praising both. 
\A sound of shouting is heard in the 
distance. Heph^stion goes to the 
door and looks out. 
They come with half the army following. 
[The sound of cheering gradually be- 
comes more distinct; then enter Alex- 
ander and YzDRA, the latter flushed 
with excitement. The soldiers shout 



ACTH YZDRA 8 1 

again and Yzdra goes to the door 
while Alexander stands behind her 
looking at them. As she turns to 
come back toward the centre, she sees 
the Brahman watching her, shudders, 
losing in a moment her joyousness ; 
then tries to regain her composure. 
Alexander greets the three men 
but is all the while watching Yzdra. 
He steps over to her as she stands 
glancing at the Brahman and en- 
deavouring to regain control of herself. 
Alexander. The audience I craved 
this afternoon 
Must now be held, so many silken hours 
Have slipped unfelt between otir wayward 
fingers. 

[Yzdra stands motionless. He glances 

at the three men who bow and go out. 

Queen, I claim the greeting promised by 



82 YZDHA ACT 11 

Those wondrous eastern eyes that charmed 

my sense. 
You will not give me welcome? 
YzDRA. Welcome, King. 

{Suddenly and rapidly. 
You must forgive me that I am o'ercome ; 
The sudden view of greatness opening out 
Has filled mine eyes with mist, my mind 

with cloud; 
And something too of girlhood's diffidence 
Oppresses me. I am not very old, 
Have not seen much of life and mighty 
kings, 
Alexander. And yet you come not 

quite unwillingly? 
YzDRA. I hardly know as yet. Oh, 

give me time! 
Alexander. Nay, time for what, my 

Queen ? 
YzDRA. In girlhood oft 



•^CT II YZDRA 83 

I dreamed as maidens do of future love, 
Of how a king would come and win my 

heart 
By valour, courtesy, and kingly mien; 
A mighty king he was, a noble man. 

Alexander. A mighty king am I, per- 
chance a man 
Not all unworthy of a maiden's dream; 
But now your beauty bows me, king and 

man. 
To seek your throne of womanhood, and 

sue — 
A captive, prostrate there, for life and 

love. 
YzDRA. For life and love! 

[Aside.'] It cannot, cannot be! 
{^Aloiid.l My life and love were yours 

before I knew 
Your name ; before I foimd you aught but 

dream ; 



$4 YZDRA ACT II 

But now — oh, give me time! a little time 
Before I wake. The dream must fade so 

soon. 
Oh, give me time! {Ajter a pause.] 

I cannot dream again. 
Alexander. Reality is fairer than your 

dream. 
YzDRA. Reality! 

Alexander. Is here, my Queen, my 
child. 
I would not push you forward to the leap, 
Yet passion, rising in me, stronger grows. 
And momently increasing makes my heart 
Forget its calculating thought to build 
A future empire's strength from your 

consent. 
My manhood speaks to you with waking 
love ; — 

[YzDRA steps forward impulsively. 
You love me then ! Confess ! 



ACT II YZDRA ^5 

[The expression of pain comes into her 
face again. She turns away. 
YzDRA. It cannot be. 

Alexander. What cannot be? 
YzDRA. You do not understand. 

Alexander. Love makes swift con- 
quest of a soldier's heart. 
It eats Hke poison through me, blood and 
bone. 

[The shouting is heard again outside. 

Alexander hesitates a moment, 

looks at YzDRA, and then goes to the 

door. 

YzDRA. [Aside.] Like poison! Aye! 

more deadly swift in me, 

It shatters like the lightning, leaving 

naught. 
[Aloud.] You do not understand. It can- 
not be. 
Enter the Brahman unseen by Alex- 



86 YZDRA ACT II 

ANDER. He stands looking at Yzdra 
a}id raises his hand in command, 
fascinating her with his gaze. Alex- 
ander motions the troops to he silent. 
Alexander. Beside the feast to-night 
we now proclaim 
That games be held in honour of the 

Queen, 
And many prizes, gold and things of worth 
Ourselves will give to those who most 

deserve. 
[The soldiers cheer again. Exit Brahman. 
But now let all disperse and rest awhile. 
{Another cheer. He stands watching 
them as they go. 
The soldiers hail you as their queen and 

mine, 
So yield you must ; I never fail in aught. 
[Yzdra stands motionless, gazing 
straight ahead of her. She speaks 



ACT II YZDRA 87 

mechanically without cadence in her 
voice. 
YzDRA. It may be I shall do it. 
Alexander. Trust me now. 

[YzDRA speaks still mechanically as 
though forcing herself to speak, but 
there is some slight modulation in 
her voice, which trembles a little. 
YzDRA. Ah, King, I trust your love; 
I fain would yield; 
My every dream of girlhood changed to life 
Before me stands. A king you are, a 

man 
Of valour, courtesy and kingly mien 
Beyond my thought. 
Alexander. And yet you love me 

not? 

[She turns toward him and speaks 
wildly, putting all her emotion into 
her voice, and desiring him to under- 



88 YZDRA ACT II 

stand her, though realising that he 
cannot do so. 
YzDRA. I love, yea love too much; 't is 
love that brings 
Refusal to my lips. One last ideal 
I clutch with straining hands. It cannot 

be. 
I love you, love you, yet it cannot be. 
Alexander, Nay, then it shall be! 
[He steps forward toward her quickly, 
throws his arms about her and stoops 
to kiss her. She pushes him back 
violently and speaks very wildly. 
YzDRA, Death ! Your death and mine ! 
Alexander. What mean you? 

Enter the Brahman behind Alexan- 
der. They do not see him. 
YzDRA. Death. Your death and mine. 
It is too much. Oh gods, that this should 
be! 



ACT ir YZDRA 89 

Alexander. What mean you? 

[YzDRA sees the Brahman and staggers 
toward Alexander, falling to her 
knees beside him and reaching up for 
his hand. 
YzDRA. [To the Brahman] Go! In pity- 
go! 

[Alexander draws away his hand and 

leaves her without support; she falls 

to the floor. 

Oh gods! 

[Alexander has followed the direction 

of Yzdra's look and now sees the 

Brahman, on whom he turns fiercely. 

Alexander. What meaneth this ? 'Tis 

thou who must explain. 
B RAHMAN . I know not what she means , 
but know she loves, 
And think the maiden's mind must be 
distraught 



90 YZDRA ACT a 

With sudden greatness and the love she 

owns, 
With thought of you and your divinity. 
Alexander. The truth! Be quick! 

The truth! 
Brahman. She meaneth naught. 
Poor girl, her unused wits go wandering 
O'ercome with passion and her sudden joy } 
But I, who have some skill with soothing 

herbs, 
Some knowledge of the mind, will soon 

restore 
Her reason, make her yield such proofs of 

love 
As oft a maid, though loving, long with- 
holds. 
Alexander. But now she spoke of 

death — her death and mine. 
Brahman. Those words meant naught ; 

she will unsav them soon. 



ACT II YZDRA 91 

YzDRA. That will I never do. The 
truth is mine 
And honour, though I die in saving him. 
\Sh,e rises to her full height and stands 
facing the Brahman, her eyes flash- 
ing, her voice under control and her 
face showing perfect determination. 
For the first time, she has more force 
than he and he feels that he has lost 
his power over her. He moves in- 
voluntarily toward the door, but she 
steps in front of him, blocking the 
way. 
He who has played so ruthlessly with lives 
Now shifts to save his own. He dreads 

the change 
To some despised shape, most like himself, 
Some snake, or slinking jackal; yet his 

death 
Could not requite me for the evil done. 



92 YZDRA ACT n 

For life and love, for hope and womanhood. 

Some subtle torture of the frame and mind 

Is best for thee. [Turning to Alexander] 

My Liege, I tell you all, 

Alexander. What hast thou done? 
[The Brahman takes a dagger jrom 
his robes and strikes at Alexander. 
Brahman. I shall not die alone. 

[Yzdra springs forward and hits aside 
the Brahman's arm. The dagger 
falls and Alexander puts his foot on 
it. 
Yzdra. Nor I. 

Alexander. Attend the Princess. Call 
the guards. 

Enter Heph^estion with five or six 
soldiers and the Page; then Yzdra 's 
women. 
Hephaestion, guard this hoary demon well, 



ACT 11 YZDRA 93 

And put the others from the selfsame brood 
In chains. Let all be gagged. 

[To the guards.] And you, my friends, 
Talk not unto the troops. 

Heph^stion. Your will is law. 

[Heph^stion and the soldiers lead 
out the Brahman. The women are 
helping Yzdra toward the other door. 
The Page goes with the soldiers. 
Alexander. When you have quite re- 
gained your strength and calm, 
I come to learn more fully of these things 
That now are dark to me. Whate'er the 

truth 
'Tis best that we should grace the games 

to-night 
From joinM thrones. The Brahman will 

be safe. 
The secret must remain between ourselves. 
[Yzdra goes out supported by the 



94 YZDRA ACT II 

women. Two of the soldiers with the 
Page re-enter and stand at either 
side of the door by which they came 
in. Alexander, noticing them, 
stands in thought for a moment 
and then takes a goblet from the steps 
of the couch. 
[To the Page. 
Some wine I pour to Ammon. 

[The Page fills the goblet and then Alex- 
ander goes up the steps till he stands 
above the altar, on which he sprinkles 
a little wine. 

Father, God, 
Be now thine ear attuned to hear m>' 

prayer ; 
Let now thy heart, though filled with bliss 

etenie, 
Remember once again my Mother's 
face, 



ACT n YZDRA 95 

Where white she lay in some dim woodland 

glade, 
And felt thy godhead stooping through the 

dusk 
To crown her beauty. Now remember, 

King, 
Thy joy, her sorrow, and the child she bore, 
Who here with suppliant hands about thy 

knees 
Lays claim with double right to aid divine. 
Oh, Ammon, God and Father, hear my 

prayer! 
Now guide and guard me; — 

[Re-enter one of the women. 

Speak ! 

The Woman. The Princess comes. 

[Alexander motions the soldiers and 

Page to retire. Re-enter Yzdra. 

She speaks in a hard, restrained voice. 

Yzdra. 'Tis I who come to you. 



96 YZDRA ACT II 

Alexander. The truth at once! 

YzDRA. I must disclose a deed so vile, 

so base, 
That demons thinking on it pale with 

fear — 
A shame set burning on the front of Ind 
To make her ways a by-word to the world, 
And leave my name a thing obscene, 

abhorred. 
For far, revolving years to shudder at. 
Yea, I whom but a moment since you loved, 
And in a little moment more will hate. 
When once you know my vileness, I who 

speak. 
Who loved you, King; who love you, love 

you now, 
From birth was dedicate to work your 

death, 
By means most base. 

Alexander. Oh, horror! You I loved! 



ACT a yZD/?A 97 

YzDRA. Aye, "loved." You will not 

love me any more, 
But soon will spurn me where I clasp your 

feet, 
Myself, myself abhorring. Hear the tale : 
The Brahman from my helpless infant 

years 
Mixed poison with my food, until I 

grew, 
Not knowing this myself, a poisoned thing, 
That starved hyenas, did they know, would 

shun. 
You have the truth. 

Alexander. [Starting back.] No harpy 

is more foul! 
YzDRA. The gods themselves deter- 
mined this should be, 
And spoke through him in trance their 

oracles. 
Obeying which, he made me what I am. 



98 YZDRA ACT II 

Alexander. I hear the words but can- 
not take the sense : 
They have no meaning. 

YzDRA. Hear me now, and heed. 

My kiss is poison and my love is death. 
Alexander. Your love is death! 'Tis 

false! That cannot be! 
YzDRA. No serpent is more deadly than 
my lips; 
He gave me poison till my life was charged 
With horror, nameless, loathsome and 

accursed ; 
Then he with Poros plotting, sent me here 
To work your death. 

Alexander, But you have saved my 

life. 
YzDRA. I love you, King. 
Alexander. I cannot think 'tis true 
You have this power. 

Yzdra. I killed a helpless child. 



ACT II YZDRA 99 

The poison takes a few short hours to 
work. 
Alexander. This is too horrible. 
YzDRA. And yet, 'tis true. 

Alexander. The horror grapples 
strongly with my love ; 
I love and loathe. Love's wound was 
swift and deep. 
YzDRA. You could not love a loath- 
some thing like me. 
Alexander. You saved my life. We 
must take time for thought. 
Ere night I will inform me of the truth 
If this could be. It passes all belief. 
YzDRA. Too true it is. The child I 
kissed was killed; 
My youth was passed alone with one old 

nurse, 
The Brahman's tool, who feared my 
deadly touch ; 



lOO YZDRA ACT II 

There is no room for doubt, the Rajah 
knows. 
Alexander. From him and from the 

Brahman will I leani. 
YzDRA. Think not too hardly of me. 
Speak some word. 

[Alexander starts toward her im- 
pulsively and then draws back, show- 
ing both love and aversion. 
Alexander. Love lingers yet, I can- 
not cast it out. 
Yzdra. The fault was theirs alone, 
though mine the doom. 
When first I made discovery of my curse 
They gave me choice of winning you or 

death — 
And then I loved you. 

Alexander. Zeus ! My love is strong ; 
My horror too. I must take time for 
thought. 



ACT H YZDRA lOI 

Enter the Page with numerous soldiers. 
Page. The soldiers seek your orders 

for the games. 
Alexander. I go with you at once. 
And you, my Queen, 
Farewell. I pray you grace our feast to- 
night ; 
Perchance ere then we may devise some plan , 
And see more clearly things that now seem 

dark. 
I humbly take my leave. 

YzDRA. Farewell, my Lord. 

[The soldiers cheer. 
Some. Long life! 

Others. And love unto the King and 
Queen ! 

[YzDRA and Alexander look at each 
other and then go out by separate 
doors. The stage is darkened for a 
moment. 



I02 YZDRA ACT II 

[When the stage again becomes visible, 
on the right is a platform bearing a 
table and two thrones; on the left a 
platform with a table and throne. On 
the tables are golden drinking cups. 
Below each platform is another table. 
Slaves stand waiting to serve. A 
cheer is heard outside, then enters 
Taxiles preceded by a small body- 
guard and followed by the chief men 
of the kingdom. Taxiles takes the 
throne on the left, the guards stand 
behind him and the others range 
themselves below. A louder and 
more prolonged cheer, followed by the 
Macedonian battle-cry, is heard, and 
then Alexander enters. Behind 
him come Heph^estion, other Greek 
Generals, one Persian and Proteas. 
Then follow three of the Cavalry 



1 " YZDRA 103 

Companions as a guard. These are 
dressed in their own uniform, Heph- 
^STiON wears Persian costume and 
the other Greek Generals are dressed 
in the Macedonian manner. Alex- 
ander wears a combination of the 
Persian and Median royal costumes. 
He goes to the vacant throne which 
is the farther from the stage of the 
two. Taxiles rises and they ex- 
change salutes. Heph^stion seats 
himself on the steps just below Alex- 
ANDER. Proteas after prostrat- 
ing himself stands to one side and 
the others take seats at the table. 
While they are doing this, Alex- 
ander talks aside to Heph^estion. 

Heph^stion. How fares my Lord? 

Alexander. The Queen has told me 
all. 



I04 YZDRA ACT 11 

Heph^stion. Some fearful thing? 

Alexander Most fearful and most 
strange. 
She saves my life, disclosing treachery. 

Heph^stion. Of whom? 

Alexander, Of Poros and the Brah- 
man both. 

Heph^stion. The Rajah too? 

Alexander, He also knows the plot. 
I have learned all but will not tell you all. 
The Princess comes to grace our festival, 
But for the absent men make some excuse, 

Heph^stion, [Rising.'] 
The Emperor bids me tell what all should 

know — 
The reason why we lack to-night t\\'0 

guests, 
Whose absence something mars our festival. 
The Rajah of Abhisara prepares 
With necessary haste his messages, 



ACT II YZDRA 105 

Which tell of how the embassy has sped : 
His presence much would grace our com- 
pany, 
His absence dulls our joy. The Brahman 

old 
O'erwearied with the burden of his years, 
Which bore not easily the journey here, 
Betakes himself to rest and lonely thought. 
As is the custom with philosophers 
Who find their pleasure in the mind, and 

scorn 
Such joyous usages as games and feasts. 
The Princess Yzdra comes, and having her, 
Our lack of these, the absent guests, seems 

naught. 
Alexander. Thee, worthy Proteas, we 

do appoint 
For this one night to bear our cups to us. 
And cheer our mood with talk. Not yet 

begins 



I06 YZDRA Acrn 

The feast, nor shall begin until to us 
The Princess Yzdra comes. 

The Troops. {Outside^ The Queen! 
The Queen! 
All hail the Princess Yzdra ! 
All. \Wiihin\ Hail, all hail! 

The Princess enters. 
[She is pale but firm. Alexander 
steps down and leads her to the vacant 
throne. Proteas, kneeling, hands 
her a golden cup. 
Alexander. My Princess, now, with 
your most gracious leave. 
We will commence our feast and festival, 
And honour you whose presence honours us. 
[Yzdra bows and makes a gesture of 
assent. Heph^estion motions the 
attendants. Some fill the winecups. 
Others bring in dishes. Musicians 
enter with various Greek instruments 



ACTII YZDRA 107 

and range themselves on the steps of 
the couch at the rear of the stage. 
After an instrumental prelude played 
on the flutes, the Page who sang at 
the opening of the present act sings: 

In all the world I see your face — 

By night, by day in every place; 

Where Phoebus bums through western 

skies 
I find the glory of your eyes, 
And Cynthia, silver on the sea 
Your girlhood seems, at rest in me, 

{A Greek Slave Girl sings the an- 
swering stanza: 
And when my eyes are closed in sleep. 
Your image safe within they keep ; 
In dreams I touch your lips, your hands, 
And breathe the words love imderstands, 
But waked from dreams I sigh alway 



I08 YZDRA ACi II 

For you who miss me, night and day. 

\Both together. 
Ah Love, as in the vacant sky 
When night is past and dawn is nigh, 
There lives alone one planet blue, 
So all my Heaven has only you! 
So all my Heaven has only you ! 

YzDRA. A sweet, sad song, O King. 

Alexander. Love unfulfilled 

Breeds strange illusions. 

YzDRA. Yet the singer told 

Of absence only ; sadder songs would come 
From one who sought the bourne where 

Life meets Death, 
And smiles to see its passion changed to 

peace 
In vast annihilation, finding calm 
Unending, timeless, senseless. 

HEPHiESTioN. Passion's songs 



^CT n YZDRA IO9 

Come undefeated, struggling through the 

void 
From singers hushed in Hades who can give 
To love its only immortality. 

YzDRA. But see, some further pleasure 
comes to us. 

Enter a Hindu Dancing Girl. 
[She dances to the accompaniment of 
players. During all this scene, the 
feast is in progress. Proteas says 
nothing but has comic business such 
as stealing wines and food, and 
approaching the King and Yzdra 
each time with a pronounced obei- 
sance. He evidently is filled with a 
sense of the importance of his office 
and he orders about the servants with 
arrogance. 
Heph^stion. My Queen, how pleases 
you the maiden's dance? 



I lO YZDRA ACT II 

YzDRA. I like it well and would see 

more of them. 
\_Aside\ The music chimes a sadness 

like mine own. 
Alexander. \Aside\ Be not so sad. 
YzDRA. \Aside!\ What help is there 

for us ? 
Heph^stion. The Queen, I trust, ere 
long will come with us 
To see our dancing girls in Macedon. 
YzDRA. I would be glad of that. 
Heph^stion. What have we here? 

Enter a Hindu Juggler with his atten- 
dants. 
[While he is performing two or 
three of the famous Hindu tricks 
Proteas stands open-mouthed in 
amazement and forgets to fill the cups. 
After the first trick Proteas speaks 
but keeps his eyes upon the Hindu. 



ACT a YZDHA 1 1 1 

Proteas. My liege, I think he must be 
half divine; 
No mortal man cotild do such wondrous 
things. 
Heph^stion. Amazement fills me. 
Alexander. Yea, 'tis very strange. 

{During the second trick Proteas 
shows increasing fear, and at the close 
he starts to prostrate himself before the 
Hindu. 
Stand up. Stand up. 

Heph^stion. This thing is wonderful. 
Alexander, [To Yzdra.] Our Grecian 
wisdom seems but poor indeed, 
Beside your eastern magic. 

Heph^stion. Socrates 

For all his knowledge could not reach to 
this. 
Yzdra. Our thought is old, yet stretches 
upward still ; 



I 1 2 YZDRA ACT 11 

Onward and upward till it clasps the gods. 
But all is impotent when sorrow comes; 
It cannot free the heart where anguish 

dwells, 
Or dry the smallest of a woman's tears. 
Alexander. Yet courage often wins 
what thought gives up, 
And hews its way to sunlight from the dark. 
YzDRA. \Aside, touching her hreast\ 
'Tis midnight here. 

Alexander. I see a sluggish dawn. 
\At the close of the third trick, the soldiers 
outside are heard. 
The Soldiers: The games! Do not 

forget the games! The games! 

Alexander. Indeed, we had forgot. 

The soldiers wait. [Rising.] 

Do you lead on unto the games and soon 

The Queen and I will follow; first we hold 

Some further conference of private things. 



ACT II YZDRA 113 

[Taxiles rising, bows to Alexander 
and YzDRA and goes out followed by 
his train, and then by the Greeks. 
Alexander and Yzdra alone come 
down to the centre of the stage. 
Yzdra. What have you done? 
Alexander. I know the awful truth ; 
The oracle was clear, I must believe ; 
And he who voiced the god confirms it now ; 
There is no room for doubt. 

Yzdra. Then none for hope. 

[Looking up at him bravely.] 
I know you cannot love me any more. 
Alexander. I cannot choose but love 

in spite of all. 

Yzdra. It cannot be your love is like 

mine o\vn 

That rends me, speechless, with its agony. 

Alexander. But one poor way I see. 

Yzdra. Oh, tell me that. 



114 YZDRA ACTii 

Alexander. A strange, sad way it is 
and leads to death. 

YzDRA. To death and not to love. 

Alexander, To love ftdfilled, 

Then death. 

YzDRA. Ah, love fulfilled is all I 
crave ! 
To cling tinto your lips, then welcome death. 
I love too much, for life beyond your arms 
Has naught for me. 

Alexander. And naught for me, 

O Queen. 
This love is strong indeed, his arrows 

wound ; 
And I, the conqueror, who thought to rule, 
Am bowed in vassalage; the world and life. 
My joy of conquest and the stress of fight 
Seem nothing more to me. 

YzDRA. Yea, love is strong! 

It bows me, sways me, fills me, takes away 



ACT II YZDRA 1 1 5 

My power of thought. I only crave to come 
Unto your arms — ^then hide myself in 

death. 
But you? Whatever happens, you will live. 
Now tell your plan, 
Alexander. To yield ourselves to 

Fate. 
YzDRA. You cannot mean to die, ac- 
cepting all 
The horror and the shame of such a death — 
So young in mid career — for my dread love, 
That foul, polluted thing! 

Alexander. \Sadly but firmly.] Yet 
this I mean. 

[YzDRA gazes at hint for a moment, 

and as she looks, tenderness slowly 

comes in place of her former wildness. 

YzDRA. To die for me! [She puts her 

hands on his shoulders.'] 

Let passion be controlled 



Il6 YZDRA ACT II 

And let us live with lips that never meet, 
But joinM hearts and hands. 

Alexander. That could not be. 

Not till I drain the certainty of death 
From their excess of sweetness do I live. 
YzDRA. When passion cools with age 
we two will go 
Toward death together, happy in our love. 
Alexander. That cannot, shall not be ! 
Not Tantalus 
Does madden so with thirst as I for you, 
And not so heavy is the doom he bears 
As this would be. Life has not aught for 

us 
But love fulfilled. 

YzDRA. \With less assurmtce.] I will 

not have it so! 
Alexander. [Speaking in a tone of 

absolute decision, and putting all the 
force and resolution of his character in 



ACT II YZDRA 1 1 7 

the assertion.] My love is stronger 
than the bonds of life. 
YzDRA. [Very wildly and with all pos- 
sible intensity.] 
He loves as I ! [She springs toward him.] I 
do accept your love. 
Alexander steps toward her impul- 
sively and then checks himself with 
a great effort. 
Alexander. But one thing more I do 
before the end: 
I thirst for vengeance on the dastard king 
Who planned this coward's trick, and 
poisoned you. 
YzDRA. [Slowly and thoughtfully.'] 
My people expiate my father's fault. 
I grieve for them, but grieve not much for 

him 
Who justly falls. He gave no love to me, 
And yet the ending of my ancient race 



Il8 YZDKA ACT 11 

Through me brings sorrow. 

Alexander. Love forgotten seems, 

YzDRA. Ah, no! A moment's grief and 
that is all. 
Be swift and sure: my father's host is 
strong. 
Alexander. Or weak or strong, I shall 
defeat him soon. 
Then vengeance satisfied, world-empire 

won, 
We drink our cup of passion, yield to Fate. 
YzDRA. Ah! love is strong! 
Alexander I do not fear to die. 

'Tis best to seek the shades with blazing 

course, 
A star across the night ; not slowly fade 
When men have half forgot how once you 
shone. 
YzDRA. Yea, that were good: to live 
one perfect hour, 



ACT II YZDRA 119 

Then fall like stars while all men stand 
amazed. 
Alexander. There seems no other 

way for you and me. 
YzDRA. What do you with the Brahman? 
Alexander. He shall go 
With ignominy heaped, and if he will 
May tell his jackal king the lion comes. 
To-morrow mom shall see our march begin. 
YzDRA. Ah, Love, do swiftly this — 
your last great deed — 
And then we drain the cup, let come what 
will! 
Alexander. It cannot come too soon. 
The Soldiers. The King! The King! 

Enter Heph^stion 
HEPH.EST10N. The soldiers grow im- 
patient. 
Alexander. Now, we come. [Exeunt. 
Curtain 



ACT III 



ACT III. 
Scene I. 

A CORRIDOR IN THE PALACE OF POROS. 

PoROS discovered. Enter Prince. 

Prince. Again I greet you, Sire. 
Poros. Be welcome, son. 

How fared you on your errand? 

Prince. Well, my Lord; 

If present plans should fail, in three days' 

time 
You can command an army worthy you. 
I foimd the separate chiefs each well dis- 
posed 
With love and loyalty to serve your cause ; 
They all have raised their men and wait 
your word. 
Poros. That news is good ; should our 

first arrow miss, 
123 



124 YZDKA ACT in 

The bow is bent to send the second 

forth. 
No news has reached me yet. I would we 

knew 
What so delays the Brahman's messenger. 
Prince. My mind forebodes some dire 

mischance. 
PoROS. And mine. 

I never played this hypocritic game 
With any zeal: a man should fight with 
arms. 
Prince. The way we took was pointed 
by the gods, 
But still my mind keeps boding ill on ill. 
There must be news ere long. 

PoROS. My patience wanes. 

Prince. What made you send the 
Princess Yzdra's nurse 
So hotly after her? 

PoRos. How knew you that? 



sc. I YZDRA 125 

Prince. She passed me, speeding swiftly 

on her way. 
PoROS. 'Twas best the Princess should 
have someone by 
Who knew her fearful secret and who 

could, 
If need there were, sustain the Brahman's 

plans. 
She reared the girl and she is worthy 

trust. 
But look, who comes? 

Prince. It is the Brahman, Sire. 

PoROS. The Brahman! 
Prince. Aye, all woe- 

begone and weak. 
With clotted hair, his garments soiled and 

torn; 
He scarce can stand. 

Enter Brahman. 
PoROS. What brings you in this plight ? 



126 YZDRA ACT III 

Brahman. To arms! to arms! there is 

no other way. 
PoROS. The Kmg refused her then? 
Brahman. He learned our plot, 

And pale with anger marches on you now. 
Prince. How could he learn the plot? 
PoROS. No time for words! 

Go you, send messengers to all the chiefs. 
Brahman. The Princess learned by 
accident her power, 
And through a woman's weakness told the 
King, 
PoROS. He did not doubt the truth? 
Brahman. How could he doubt ? 

I said that fever might have killed the 

child; 
But she had told him of the oracle, 
And none there is who disbelieves the gods. 
PoROS. It was the truth that fever 
killed the child. 



sc. I YZDRA 127 

Prince. And not the poison? 

PoROS. No, for I have learned 

Its mother died of fever just before, 
And that was why it wandered off alone. 
Its death proved nothing. 

Prince. Nor disproves it now; 

We need no proof beyond the oracle. 

PoROS. We have not now the slightest 
trace of proof; 
We know they gave her poisons, but 

know not 
That she has gained their power. 

Brahman. If there is one 

Who thinks the words I uttered in my 

trance 
Were not directly spoken by the god, 
Let him believe the Princess is the same 
As other maidens are. 

Prince. None such there is ; 

We cannot doubt a dream or oracle. 



128 YZDRA ACTIH 

PoROs. I cannot choose but doubt 
without some proof ; 
But tiiie, or false, it does not matter now; 
The war is on our hands; the Grecian 

comes. 
Where is Abhisara? 

Brahman. Two nights ago 

He left me while I slept and took away 
The scant provisions we had gathered up. 
Prince. It cannot be that he is trai- 
torous ! 
PoROS. Go you and do our bidding; 
raise the host. 
Though all should traitors prove, ourself 

will fight 
And be this Grecian's death, or die by him. 

[Exit Prince. 
And you : our royal curse be on your head ! 
Our curse, and if it come, the country's 
doom! 



sc. 1 YZDRA 129 

No more will I be led from valour's course 
To follow darkly twisting paths of stealth, 
Or prop my kingdom on uncertain dreams 
That make me scorn myself, and leaned 
on, fail. 

Brahman. My Lord 

PoROS. Nay, hear me 

speak. When first I gave 
Consent to yield the Princess to your 

will 
My mind foreboded fearful things to 

come; 
But now I fight! My own brave way is 
left. 
Brahman. And I, with you, will face 
the Grecian darts, 
Inciting all to fight for king and gods. 
My plan has failed, some demon thwarted 

us. 
So now I aid your courage in the field. 



I30 YZDRA ACT 111 

I faint for lack of food. 

PoROS. Go you to rest, 

And I will make provision for the war; 
Then later we will hear your tale rehearsed. 

Curtain. 



Scene II. 

yzdra's tent in Alexander's camp on 

the west bank of the hydaspes. 

[It is the afternoon before the battle. 

YzDRA is discovered reclining on a 

couch; slaves are fanning her. Enter 

Nurse. 

Nurse. My Lotos Flower, your father 

bade me take 

His swiftest elephant to follow you, 

Lest in this strange new world you feel the 

lack 

Of me and my accustomed services. 

I missed you many times but find at last. 

[YzDRA rising furiously motions the 

slaves to leave. As they go, she 

stands looking at the Nurse, then 

breaks out in uncontrolled passion. 
131 



132 YZDRA ACTlil 

YzDRA. Thou here ! Thou dare to come 
and face me now! 
I know thee, what thou art, and scorn thy 

wiles 
Of unforgiven infamy. 

Nurse. My child! 

YzDRA. Nay, "child" not me! I know 
thee, know myself — 
The thing that thou hast made me. Ven- 
geance waits. 
Nurse. You mean my death! 
YzDRA. Aye, death! Look not about ; 
Thou canst not fly, but when thou goest 

from hence 
Thou goest a stricken thing, with poison 

filled. 
To die a hateful death. 

Nurse. Not that ! Not that ! 

\^ZT>'Si^hasheenslcfwly recovering herself 
and speaks now with more dignity. 



sc. u YZDRA 133 

YzDRA. 'Tis justice only. Dost thou 
tremble now 
In pity of thyself, who pitied not 
Thy foster-child? 

Nurse. Oh, grant some other 

death 
Less awful in itself, aught else but this! 
YzDRA. \She begins speaking with a start 
of surprise as the idea strikes her; 
and as she continues, speaking half 
to herself and thinking of Alex- 
ander, her manner becomes gradually 
less hard arid her passion subsides 
till at the close she speaks dreamily 
with nothing in her voice and eyes 
but her love for him. 
It might be that the poison would not work. 
Despite the Brahman's wisdom. Gods, 

dear gods, 
How happy would we be if this were proved ! 



134 YZDRA ACT III 

And we could live and love and nile the 

world, 
Forgetting all this coil of hate and tears. 
Nurse. It could not fail. Forgive. 

My death is sure. 
YzDRA. [Pleading for some confirmation 
of her hope. 
You know that death is sure? 

Nurse. Forgive me! Spare! 

YzDRA. \Wildly again."] Didst thou 
spare me? Nay, then I make the 
test! 

[She springs toward her and then stops 
suddenly, a look of bewilderment on 
her face, 
YzDRA. I cannot seem to do it. 
Nurse. Spare me ! Spare ! 

YzDRA. I could have done it once. 
Nurse. Forgive me. 

YzDRA. Yea, 



s< • II YZDRA 135 

I cannot help myself, for love has come 
And tamed me from my wildness. Go in 

peace. 
Yes, go! Since life is sweet, I give thee 

back 
Thy few grey years, and suffer all myself. 
Go quickly though; it might be I should 
change. 

\Tke Nurse looks at her doubtfully 
for a moment and then hurries out. 
YzDRA throws herself exhausted on 
the couch. 

[After a pause. 
She really seemed to love me years ago. 

[After a shorter pause. 
I wonder if my garden looks the same, 
And if those climbing roses reached the 

tree. 
I wish that I had asked her. 

[She calls.] Nurse! Oh, Nurse! 



136 YZDRA ACT III 

She is not there, I never shall forget 
The garden nor those childish dreams I 

dreamed 
And told unto the roses. 

\She goes to the door to look for the 

Nurse just as a slave ushers in 

Heph^stion. 

Heph^stion. Greetings, Queen. 

YzDRA. Be welcome, General. 

Heph^stion. But why 

so sad? 
YzDRA. I cannot quite forget my gar- 
den home, 
Nor all the dreams I dreamed among the 

hills; 
And sometimes in my sleep I seem to wake 
And feel the flowers that I loved so well. 
Unseen, but all about me, everywhere. 
And sometimes, even when the King is by, 
And speaks of love to me and I to him, 



SC. II YZDRA 137 

A sound or scent will bring my garden here ; 
Then all the past comes jfiooding to my 

eyes: 
It is a part of me and must remain. 
But this is naught to you. You bring me 
news? 
Heph^stion. The usual news — that 
Alexander longs 
To see you once again. He sent me here 
To ask if he might come at once. 

YzDRA. Ah, yes; 

'Tis afternoon and every crawling hour 
Since yestermom when last I saw the Kmg 
Has stretched to double length its weari- 
ness. 
Heph^stion. The King but now re- 
turned to the camp. 
YzDRA. How fared his scouting party? 
Heph^stion. Well, I think. 

Your father's host upon the other shore 



138 YZDRA ACT III 

Keeps close to camp, and we must linger 

here 
Until the flood abates; we cannot cross. 
The King may come at once? 

YzDRA. Yes, bid him come. 

HephvESTion. My feet are shod with 
Hermes' sandals, Queen, 
To bear with swiftest speed your messages. 

[Exit Heph^stion, 
YzDRA. Yet once again he comes, yet 
once again 
My passion springs to meet him. 

[She looks at herself in a burnished 
copper mirror. 

Fair I am : 
That matters not — he could not love me 

more 
If all the gods should with each other 

vie 
To heap divine perfections on my head ; 



sen YZDRA 1 39 

He would not love me less, if beauty 

changed 
To strange deformity. 

Enter Alexander. 
Ah, Lover, King, 
So long has absence seemed, so very long! 
Alexander. Yea, like eternity to souls 

unblessed. 
YzDRA. But are you wholly mine? 
When you are here 
I would not have you king or general, 
Or aught I cannot share, but mine, and 

mine, 
And mine alone — ^the well-loved lover onl3\ 
Alexander. All yours I am. The 
world outside is like 
Some dim remembered dream when one 

awakes ; 
My life is yours, and soon — ^this night 
perhaps — 



140 YZDRA ACT III 

I die to hold you closely, mine indeed. 

YzDRA. So soon! 

Alexander. The battle will be 

joined to-night. 

YzDRA. Ah, do not risk the battle! 

Alexander. This one deed 

To crown my life before the eyes of men 
I do; and then at last, world-empire won, 
I yield me to my passion, hold you close, 
My own indeed ; the world and life forgot 
In love's full ecstasy of eyes and lips. 
My love is strong and binds me more than 

Fate 
To work its will. 

YzDRA. The gods protect you. Love! 
Do not neglect to send me messages 
Of how the battle goes. Remember her 
Who waits and watches through the lonely 

hours, 
A prey to all the fears love conjures up. 



sc. II YZDRA 141 

Aiid yet, I would some other course had led 
To love fulfilled than this sad way we 

climb 
Who mount upon the corpses of my kin 
To victory. My father and my race, 
Our ancient name, through me are doomed 

to death. 
Alexander. They fall, but love upon 

them stands alone; 
And love is all that counts ; for love I give 
My lordship of the world, and you your 

race. 
YzDRA. I would not have you, Love, 

give up so much. 
Ah, yes, I would; and yet I can but 

doubt 
When now you reach the two diverging 

ways; 
One short but very sweet through love to 

death, 



142 YZDRA ACT III 

And one that leads through years of fame 

and praise 
To honoured age, if you would not prefer 
To walk the longer path, and live your life. 
I have had many thoughts these last few 

days : 
It made me think to have the end so near. 
Alexander. There is no choice but 

one — through love to death. 
YzDRA. Ah, yes, there is! The other 

path that here 
Seems dark and hard to tread, with naught 

beyond, 
Would soon grow easy for your feet; and 

soon 
You would look forward brightly, not look 

back, 
Forgetting love. Then I, from some lone 

place, 
Would see your glory in the setting sun 



sc. II YZDRA 143 

And send my messengers to hear your voice 
And tell me of your looks. 

Alexander. I am resolved. 

YzDRA. My love may not at last so 
fatal prove; 
I sometimes hope again. 

Alexander. That cannot be. 

At first I doubted if the Brahman's lore 
Had probed so deep the secrets of the 

gods; 
But ever when I hoped, a phantom came 
From that pale child who wandered near 

your home 
And felt the magic of your poisoned lips. 
YzDRA. No hope! 

Alexander. And then so real 

this horror seems, 
So present to my sight disgraceful death; 
I tremble at the leap that love compels, 
But will not falter here upon the brink. 



144 YZDRA ACT m 

YzDRA. The curse was mine, be mine 

alone the doom! 
I will not have you share my fate and 

shame ; 
The world is yours, with life and other 

loves ; 
Let death be mine! I bare me to the stroke, 
Beseeching death from you to give you life. 
The only thing my fatal love can give. 
I tried before to tell you this, but still 
Your passion like a torrent whirled me on. 
And swept me from myself and blinded me. 
I could not set my will opposed to yours; 
I did not have the will ; but now I have. 

[YzDRA hares her bosom, imploring the 
stroke. 
Alexander. Nay, Love, put by that 

thought ; we two are strong 
To face our destiny unfaltering; 
I am resolved to make you all my own, 



sc. n YZDRA I45 

And ere to-morrow's stars I come to you 

To call you "Bride", though Fate be 
there to smite. 
YzDRA. It shall not be! My love 
implores your hate; 

I clasp it to my breast. Oh, leave me now, 

And let me take myself where nevermore 

Your eyes shall fill with horror at my sight ; 

Or, let me go and hide myself in death; 

The grave alone can cover shame like 
mine. 
Alexander. Come life, come death, our 
hearts are joined for both. 

And love shall be fulfilled. 

YzDRA. Then go, my King, 

And certain victory attend your course ; 

Then hide within my arms your sove- 
reignty. 
Alexander. I shall not fail. The 
troops are on the march 



146 YZDRA ACT III 

And I, their leader, tarry here too long. 
Love give me wings to win and come again ! 
YzDRA. Farewell, and may the gods 
fulfill my prayers 
And bring you swiftly back, victorious. 

Curtain. 



Scene III. 

OUTSIDE THE TENT OF POROS ON THE EAST 
BANK OF THE HYDASPES. 

[PoROS and attendants discovered. A 
furious storm is raging. 
Enter Brahman. 
Brahman. What news? They say the 

Greeks attempt to cross. 
Poros. Aye, up the stream, just where 
the river bends, 
A sentry saw them struggling in the flood. 
I sent the Prince to beat them down the 

bank ; 
They will not win against the tide and him. 
Brahman. What troops went with the 
Prince to meet them, Sire ? 



147 



148 YZDRA Acr m 

PoROS. A scanty force, but strong 
enough to quell 
This mad attempt. Who but a hare- 
brained boy 
Would risk the crossing, and on such a 
night? 

Enter a Messenger. 
Messenger. To arms! The Prince has 
fallen and the Greeks, 
Their army in array, are marching down. 
Poros. The Prince has fallen! Is our 

son then dead ? 
Messenger. They reached the shore 
some moments ere he came; 
His force they overwhelmed, and him they 
slew. 
PoROS. Nay then, to arms! Let each 
man fight for king 
And country, for his life, his home, his 
lands. 



sc. in YZDRA 149 

To arms! To arms! Ourself will lead the 
van. 

Enter a second Messenger. 
PoROS. Well, slave, thy news? 
Messenger. The news is black, m}^ 

Lord. 
PoROS. It better fits the night. What 

is it? Speak. 
Messenger. The Rajah of Abhisara 
has sent 
To Alexander messages of peace 
And offered firm alliance 'gainst your state. 
Brahman. The curse of all the gods 

be on his head. 
Poros. How know you this? 
Messenger. A captive Greek has 

told. 
Poros. Enough! This night will see a 
battle fought 
That shall surpass the glories of our Ind 



I50 YZDRA ACT III 

And dim the deeds of all our storied chiefs. 
We shall be sung of in the coming years, 
And taught to children when their infant 

hands 
First learn to draw the bow; our names 

shall be 
Familiar to their ears as household words 
For honour, courage, strength, and hardi- 
hood. 
Yea, while we fight, the souls of heroes 

dead 
Will turn them backward on the way to 

Brahm, 
And think a moment of remembered fields 
Not told of more than this shall ever be. 
Attend me all : your king to conquest leads. 
All: Lead on, lead on! 

Curiain. 



Scene IV. 

THE SAME AS SCENE II. 

[YzDRA is reclining on a couch; the 

Greek slave girl is in attendance. 

Slave: My Queen, I sing you now the 

last sad song 

That Sappho wrought in Lesbos, long ago. 

YzDRA. Oh, sing it not! No rumour 

yet has come 

Of how the battle goes. I cannot heed 

Your minstrelsy when heart and ears and 

eyes 

Are strained to meet his tardy messenger. 

[She goes to the door and listens; then 

speaks mechanically and rather more 

to herself than to the slave. 

The King succeeded in his mad attempt 
151 



152 YZDRA ACT III 

To cross the swollen river. Night and 

storm 
But made it worse. He could not brook 

delay 
But would lead on, though all the elements 
Conspired with Poros darkly for his 

doom. 

Enter Heph^stion fresh from the 
'field. 
Heph^stion. The field is won and 

Alexander comes. 
YzDRA. Oh gods, I give you thanks! 

But is he safe? 
Without a wound ? 

Heph^stion. Without a wound he 

comes. 
We gained this day a greater victory 
Than Issus or Arbela. Poros lives. 
YzDRA. For that again I thank the holy 

gods. 



sc. IV YZDRA 153 

Heph^stion. He fell into our hands 
with many woiinds. 

The Rajah held aloof; the Prince suc- 
cumbed 

To greater force, though long he fought 
and well. 
YzDRA. Poor Prince and Brother! 
Would that he had lived ; 

And yet I do not know. It would have 
been 

Most hard for him to miss his ancient 
state, 

To see his country vanquished and his 
King: 

Our race is proud. How went the battle 
then? 
Heph^stion. We led our army to- 
ward the Indian camp, 

And Poros marched on us imtil he found 

A plain and halted ; there in full array 



154 YZDRA ACT HI 

Each drew his army up. We turned their 

flanks, 
And then, their rear attacking, hemmed 

them in. 
YzDRA. The slaughter lasted long? 
Heph^stion. They would not 

yield 
Until their leader sank beneath his wounds 
And left the field; for while his strength 

held out 
He led with wondrous valour, charge on 

charge. 
YzDRA. I oft have heard him called a 

king indeed, 
A man of noble bearing, strength and skill. 
One bom to rule, and not to know defeat. 
Through what strange ways the gods work 

out their will ! 
Not long ago I sought to serve the 

State, 



sc. IV YZDRA 155 

And now I scarce can weep my country's 

doom, 
My father's bondage and my brother's 

death ; 
So love has changed me from the thing I 

was. 
Heph^stion. But had they won it had 

been worse for you — 
For then had Alexander found defeat. 

YzDRA. \Aside.\ And now finds death. 

\To Heph^stion.] It all seems horrible. 

Heph^stion. On victory does horror 

still attend — 
A bird of evil omen swooping down 
To wet its dripping beak with loathsome 

food 
And spread defilement on the pomp of 

war. 
YzDRA. [Looking at Heph^stion.] » 
The victors even come with stained arms. 



156 YZDRA ACT III 

Heph^stion. Last night unusual hor- 
rors marked our strife — 
The swollen stream and then the tempest 

dread 
That shot the firmament with thunder 

bolts. 
The very gods themselves seemed taking 

part — 
The Indians' to protect the native host, 
While all Olympus rallied to our aid, 
Assisting Ammon's son to victory. 
YzDRA. It was a dreadful night! 
Heph^stion. More dread to me 

Than any tumult of the elements 
The Brahman seemed. 

YzDRA. Was he amid the fray? 

Heph^stion. He spoke as prophets 
speak, with god-like power; 
And ever where the battle fiercest 
raged 



sc. IV YZDRA 157 

He came, despising death, to urge the 

troops 
With imprecation and encouragement. 
A dreadful sight he was ; with blazing eyes 
And voice that shrilled with anger of the 

gods 
He urged the Indians on, and where he 

came 
Like some avenging fury, all the Greeks 
Fell back dismayed and dropped their 

blood-stained spears. 
At length a far-shot arrow found him out ; 
But even then, upon his elbow raised. 
He still urged on his men; at last he 

swooned. 
The Greeks around him pressed with 

wondering looks 
And took him captive. Soon they bring 

him here. 

\A confused shouting is heard. He- 



158 YZDRA ACT III 

PH^STION goes to the door. Enter 

soldiers half carrying the Brahman. 

He is very weak and his robes are 

stained and torn; but the moment he 

sees YzDRA he straightens up and 

stands supported by the soldiers. 

YzDRA looks at him, showing first 

defiance, then pity, followed, as he 

raises himself, by fear. 

Brahman. Oh thou, who workest thus 

thy coiintry's doom, 

Let horror seize thee and let darkness fall 

Upon thy lustful eyes till love be turned 

To loathing. Siva, Vishnu, Brahm, delay 

Not now to work the curse I speak, and 

change 
This traitor to the thing she most abhors. 
Let her in death find no forget fulness, 
But still remember through a thousand 
lives 



sc. IV YZDRA 159 

Her crime, her scorned name, her father's 

woe. 
Her nation's bondage and my dying ciirse. 
And let her bum with passion, evermore 
Unsatisfied and seeking still the love 
That made her traitorous to King and gods. 
Let her in death — 

[A paroxysm of pain comes to him; he 

pauses. 
YzDRA. Oh, spare me ! Spare me more ! 
Brahman. Let her in death no respite 
gain, or peace; 
And let her hear forevermore her name 
A word of infamy in common mouths. 
YzDRA. Oh, spare me! Spare me this! 
Enter Alexander. 
[He has bathed and anointed himself 
since the battle. Yzdra springs to 
him for protection. 

Ah, Lover, King! 



l6o YZDRA ACT lit 

Brahman. Thee too I curse. 
Alexander. Nay, curse thyself, for 
thou 
Art author of thine own calamity. 

Brahman. With cheek unblanched and 
bosom undefiled 
I die, for I am guiltless. I alone 
Gave heed to Siva's will, for Pores scorned 
The gods, and she — 

Alexander. She clove to love 

and honour. 
Brahman. The gods have sent swift 
vengeance, and the blow 
Has glanced to me, who, innocent, now 

die 

In their disaster whelmed. I stifle! Air! 

My curse be on you both. Oh gods ! I die ! 

{He falls to the floor. Heph^stion 

goes over and examines him to see if 

he is dead. Yzdra statids hiding her 



SC. IV 



YZDRA l6l 



]ace against Alexander who has 
one arm about her supporting her. 
Heph^stion. His ghost has gone to join 

the shades below ; 
On this side Lethe's stream it long will wail, 
Cast out from either world. 

Alexander. [To the soldiers.] Bear 
him away. 
And do you leave us too, Hephaestion. 
HEPH.ESTION. I will, my Liege. Fare- 
well. 
Alexander. Live long, my friend. 

You have my orders, let them be fulfilled. 
[Heph^stion goes out. Yzdra raises 
her head from Alexander's shoulder 
and holds him at arms length. They 
look at each other in silence for a 
moment. 
Alexander. At last we are together, 
all the world 



1 62 YZDRA ACT III 

Shut out. 

YzDRA. I have you with me, wholly 

mine, 
Alexander. The Brahman's curse has 

made you pale with fear. 
YzDRA. I came into your arms and 
felt their strength, 
And then I did not heed him any more. 
The wound he gave is healed, and now at 

last 
I come to you, for I am wholly yours, 
To do with what you wish. 

Alexander. My love exceeds 

The measure I had dreamed that love could 

fni. 

Yzdra. From conquest come, you seem 
a god indeed. 
And I a lowly worshipper who wait 
To pour the pure libation of my love 
Upon your altar. 



sc. IV YZDRA 163 

Alexander. Nay, 'tis you who seem 
Divine in giving thus divinely all 
Yourself. 

YzDRA. 'Tis love that makes us both 

divine. 
Alexander. You bow my heart in 
giving thus yourself; 
I kneel as though before some awful fane, 
So pure, so dread, I dare not enter in, 
And scarcely dare to look where burning 

white, 

Beyond all mystery, Love sits enthroned. 

YzDRA. I only have a woman's heart 

to give — 

A simple thing and common, as it seems — 

But you give up the world, world-wide 

renown, 
And this, without the fruits of victory. 
[Alexander, with profound pity in 
his eyes, opens his arms and stands 



164 YZDRA ACT III 

waiting for her to come to him. She 
hesitates a moment. 
You would not yield yourself for my poor 
sake? 

[Alexander spreads out his arms 

again. His voice trembles a little. 

Alexander. Do you not know my 

love is strong as yours ? 

[He turns from her to conceal his emotion 

and goes to the door, lifting the flap 

and looking out. There are golden 

sunset clouds in the sky, and between 

them shines the evening star. He 

fastens the flap so that it stays open. 

See, evening comes and dawn will follow 

soon • 
We crowd a life of passion in one night, 
So let us not delay. 

[They stand silent a moment. 
YzDRA. A single night! 



sc. IV YZDRA 165 

Alexander. To-morrow Hesperus 
looks not on me ; 
I bid the world farewell. You told me 

once 
You used to dream that souls of heroes 

dead 
Came back in simsets. Will you feel me, 

Love, 

Glow all about you when the west is bright 

In after years ? Now quickly come to me ; 

The night is very short and death ends all. 

\}le turns toward her and steps forward. 

YzDRA. If you should die I could no 

longer live, 
[Alexander takes a scroll from his girdle. 
Alexander. I here have written out 
my last commands. 
Hephasstion, who thinks not of my death, 
Will come at dawn, and if I then be 
dead. 



1 66 YZDRA ACT HI 

This shows what course to follow. You, 

my Queen, 
Have India for your realm, and with you 

stay 
Some Greeks until the coimtry owns your 

rule. 
No other way there is. Come quickly now ; 
We have so long delayed that love is pain. 
YzDRA. The hour I sought has come 
at last too soon. 

[Alexander lays his sword and dagger 
on a table. A shout is heard in the 
distance. 
What noise is that? 

Alexander, [going to the door.] Some 
tumult in the camp. 
The men are revelling; they do not guess 
That I no more shall lead to victory. 

[The watch-fires are seen through the 
still open door. The sunset has now 



sc. IV YZDRA 167 

jaded from the sky. He stands look- 
ing out toward the camp and Yzdra 
watches him sadly. Then she looks 
down at the dagger, starts, and looks 
back at him. 
They loved me well, 

Yzdra. [Her voice trembles a little.] 

And you, in turn, love them ? 
Alexander. They have been still my 
friends, and they with me 
Have much endured; but now I bid fare- 
well 
To friends and war and yield myself to love. 

[After a pause. 
The men will miss me. 

[Stretching out his arms toward the camp. 
Now farewell, farewell 
[Yzdra suddenly reaches her decision, 
seizes the dagger a-nd stabs herself. 
Yzdra. Farewell, but not to them. 



l68 YZDRA ACT III 

Alexander. What have you done? 

YzDRA. The steel works swiftly. 

[She falls. 
Alexander. Zeus! Where is the 

wound ? 

[He stoops aver her, examining the 
wound. 
YzDRA. I die. 

Alexander. If aught divine within me 
dwells, 
Oh, Ammon, Father, now in sorest need, 
Give aid unto thy son ! 

YzDRA. No help. I die, 

But you shall live and conquer other 
worlds. 
Alexander. There are no more to 

conquer, all is done. 
Yzdra. Grieve not for me ; I loved you 
far too well 
To let you die. 



sc. IV YZDRA 1 69 

Alexander. Go not, go not so soon! 
YzDRA. I cannot stay ; but you for love 
must spare 
My father and my nation. 

Alexander. God! No help! 

One kiss ! I come with you. 

YzDRA. [Verywildly.] Not that! Not 
that! 

[Alexander throws himself down be- 
side her and kisses her. After a 
pause he starts up. 
Alexander. I taste no poison there! 
YzDRA. Not there! 

Alexander. Too late! 

It may be that it was not there at all. 

YzDRA. [With intense bitterness.] Oh 
God, too late! too late! 

[Slowly the bitterness leaves her face and 
in its stead comes serenity, which in 
turn yields suddenly to radiant joy. 



I/O YZDRA ACT III 

You will not die ! 

\Sh,e dies. Alexander bends over her 

for a moment, then rises to his full 

height, stretching out his arms toward 

the sky. 

Alexander. Past help of gods or men, 

Fate works its will. 



THE end 



NOTE ON THE SOURCE OF "YZDRA" 

The Secreta Secretorum, the book from which the 
atory of Yzdra is taken, purports to have been 
written by Aristotle in his old age as a manual of 
guidance for his pupil Alexander, and contains much 
curious advice on almost every subject: how to 
judge a man's character by the shape of his nose; 
in what position of the heavens it is advisable to 
take physic; how a king should comport himself 
under all circumstances; etc. The advice is given 
in the greatest detail and the volume is almost an 
encyclopedia of ancient scientific and magical 
knowledge. 

At the opening is a letter from Alexander, re- 
questing Aristotle's advice, and then follows the 
answer in which the philosopher says that, as he is 
too old to accompany Alexander in his course of 
conquest, he will write down for him a summary 
of all his knowledge, but, lest the treatise should 
come into profane hands, he writes it as a mystery, 
to which Alexander alone shall have the key. The 
inference in the story of the poisoned maiden that 
Aristotle was with Alexander in India, is not only 
false in itself, but contrary to the general statement 
of the book. 

The probability as to its origin is that sometime 
in the eighth century a.d. a Syrian Christian physi- 
cian collected the materials from Greek and other 
sources, and, realising in a quite up-to-date manner 
171 



172 YZDRA 

the obvious advantages of passing off his book as a 
translation of a lost work of Aristotle's, gave it this 
form. The actual composition seems to have been 
in the Syriac language, called in the text Chalden. 
At a later date, the author himself probably tran- 
slated his work into Arabic, and presented it with 
a sort of dedicatory prologue to some Mahomedan 
ruler. 

About the year 1 140, a renegade Jewish physician 
of Spain found part of the Arabic text and put it 
into Latin, but the complete Arabic text does not 
seem to have been translated until a French clerk 
found a copy at Antioch in the latter part of the 
twelfth, or early in the thirteenth century. This 
he translated into Latin by the order of a French 
bishop of Tripoli, and his version quickly spread 
through Europe. It was translated into most of 
the vulgar tongues, copied from manuscript to 
manuscript, commented upon in perfect good faith, 
or imitated by many of the distinguished scholars 
of the time, and finally the invention of printing 
still more widely disseminated it. Editions were 
still being made in the eighteenth century. While 
the great vogue of the book during the Middle Ages 
and the Renascence was caused chiefly by the pres- 
tige of Aristotle's name, it is likely that its popu- 
larity was partly due also to the fact that it could 
be regarded as a portion of the Alexander cycle of 
romances, then as widely known as the Charle- 
magne or Arthurian cycles. Thomas Aquinas, 
Roger Bacon, Michael Scot, and Albertus Magnus 
all either commented upon the book or wrote some- 
thing in a similar form, but perhaps its most no- 
table literary offspring is Tlie Prince of Machiavelli. 



YZDRA 173 

Finally, having done its work, it died; but the story 
of the poisoned maiden, here called Yzdra, seems 
to have sunk into the mind of the race, and will 
perhaps be told now and again until the end of 
time. 

This story was apparently first told, apart from 
its context, and with variations, in the Gesta Ronian- 
orum, where the old monks treated it as an allegory 
in which Man (Alexander) was saved by the work- 
ings of the Holy Ghost (Aristotle's wisdom) from 
the world, the flesh, and the devil. It would be in- 
teresting if someone, who cared more for symbolism 
and psychology than for romance, would use the 
legend and interpret its latent allegory in a modem 
way, making the poison work a slow degeneration 
of the spirit. 

From some one of the early versions the story 
was taken by Sir Thomas Browne, who says that the 
poison was aconite, and by Burton, who in the 
Anatomy of Melancholy stated that the maiden was 
a daughter of Poros, giving falsely as his authority 
Q. Curtius. She is usually known simply as the 
daughter of the King or Queen of India and some- 
times as the daughter of the Queen of the South. 
No trace of it appears in English literature, so far 
as I know, from the days of Browne until the New 
England writers took it up. It is quoted from the 
French alchemist, Mizaldvis, in Elsie Venner, the 
central idea of which is identical with that version 
of the story given in the Gesta Ronianorum; and 
quite possibly Hawthorne, who tells it in Rap- 
paccini's Daughter, developed the idea of his some- 
what similar tale from the legend here put into 
dramatic form, but hitherto — through twelve hun- 



174 YZDRA 

dred years or more — told only in passing. It is a 
pity that Marlowe or Webster did not find it. 

That version of the story quoted at the beginning 
of the present volume is as circumstantial as any 
except the altered one in the Gesta Romanorum. 



BY THE SAME AUTHOR 
SONGS FROM THE SILENT LAND 

"Mr. Ledoux's poems strike a pure and high 
note." — The Outlook. 

"Louis Vernon Ledoux has produced a first book 
which contains more than promise." — New York 
Evening Sun. 

"There is strength and a poetic appeal in all this 
writer's work." — The Globe. 

THE SOUL'S PROGRESS AND OTHER POEMS 

"A little book of this type brings a full breath 
of youth and the green places of the world in its 
absolute and serious insistence that the progress of 
a soul, the spiritual evolution of a nature is a matter 
of deep human interest. The book's detachment 
from the spirit of the times is complete, and it no- 
where touches the commonplace; but yet it comes 
close to human nature in its record of inner exper- 
iences. The most important poem in the book, the 
summary of its philosophy, is 'The Course,' though 
in some of the nature poems the beauty of diction 
and imagery of the poet are revealed at their best. 

"The vision and its passing is the theme of the 
book, the inner record of life, the disillusion out of 
which rises the higher spiritual meaning and the 
optimism of the soul that has found itself. 

"Mr. Ledoux is a poet who has written little, but 



well, since the critics hailed his first book, Songs 
from the Silent Land, as a real contribution to 
American poetry." — Albany Argus. 

"The music of it flowed along like a river in 
flood and I knew that, whatever he might have put 
into the balance of his book, this Louis V. Ledoux 
was a poet — one who had seen the vision. In this 
exquisite Prologue, Ledoux has struck the key-note 
of his genius — a passionate longing for the perfect 
things of the spirit, — but it is in 'The Higher Opti- 
mism' that you begin to feel that unwavering trust 
which characterises all poetry in its supreme mo- 
ments. A few extracts cannot give more than a 
hint of the effect of the whole, for Ledoux is more 
than anything else a singing intellect and his poetry 
is reason with the gift of wings. . . . Step by step 
with the precision of a perfectly controlled machine, 
yet with a steadily mounting music that masters 
you, this poem [The Course] traces the various 
philosophies that have swayed the souls of men. It 
is indeed a wonderful poem. To describe it would 
be to quote it entire." — John G. Neihardt in Tlie 
Pathfinder. 

"This poet, Ledoux, has written little, but that 
little has been quite worth while. . . . Ledoux is a 
poet worth reading. , . . But for simple beauty, for 
pathos and melody, for appeal and conviction, ' The 
Last Symphony* is the poem of the collection."— 
Baltimore Sun. 

"The phrase 'elevation of spirit* is sufficiently 
hackneyed ; yet there is no other which better de- 
scribes the tenor of Mr. Ledoux's verse. . . . There 
are several admirable lyrics in the collection." — 
Providence Journal. 



"It possesses some exquisite lines, some subtle 
passages. The theme itself is one of great dignity 
and is deeply and even passionately spiritual. . . . 
The lyrics of the volume are slight, delicate things, 
of an almost touching purity. Throughout the 
whole book there is an air convincingly sincere." 
— Louisville Evening Post. 

" In this thoughtful volume of poems is confirmed 
the promise of the author's earlier volume. "—The 
Outlook. 

"There is an engaging fervour in the spirit of his 
work." — The Nation. 

"This is not Mr. Ledoux's first work. He has 
already published Songs front the Silent Latid, but, 
although that book attracted much favourable 
attention, it can hardly have prepared the reader 
for the much higher order of achievement here 
presented. . . . There can be little question but 
that the long blank verse poem ' The Course,' which 
forms its core, is by far the best piece, both in respect 
to diction and versification, that he has yet given us. 
. . . The general method of the poem is through a 
succession of highly spiritualised landscape pictures 
of great breadth, in which the fundamental features 
of lofty pine-topped crag and wide rolling river 
emphasise through their physical symbols that note, 
or rather atmosphere, of sublimity which char- 
acterises the poem in its spiritual conception. . . . 
There can be no more question of vocation in the 
case of Mr. Ledoux than there is doubt of the 
elevated spirit inwhich he accepts the call to poetry." 
—William A. Bradley in The New York Times. 

"Various volumes of verse from various hands 
have lately come to the reviewer's desk, but the one 



which gives the largest promise for the future is 
Louis Ledoux's The Soul's Progress. The titular 
piece in the volume is a lyric sequence dealing with 
the soul's progress from the hopefulness of youth 
through the doubts of the middle years to the serene 
faith of old age. This conception is worked out 
with an easy mastery of form and a spiritual ardour 
that indicate that Mr. Ledoux should travel far in 
the 5'ears ahead of him." — Brooklyn Eagle. 

"Some miscellaneous poems of both strength 
and sweetness round out the volume." — Louisville 
Courier Journal. 



